Hundreds gather at only military grave in Canada of a Sikh soldier from the World Wars in Kitchener, Ontario

CANADA’S Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, joined the 17^th annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony at the military gravesite of Canadian World War I hero, Private Buckam Singh, in Kitchener, Ontario. It is the only military grave in Canada of a Sikh soldier from the World Wars.

“The Sikh community hosts this Remembrance Ceremony to honour the 117,000 Canadian soldiers, like Singh, that have died since we became a nation and the 83,000 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army that died fighting for the allies in two World Wars,” said Sandeep Singh Brar, Curator of SikhMuseum.com and the Chief Organizer of the annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony in November.

“Remembrance ceremonies like this are organized by various groups across Canada during Veterans’ Week and this is a chance for the Sikh community to host an important ceremony, especially as Sikhs have a long tradition of military service,” said Brar.

“We are very honoured to have the Minister of Veterans Affairs participate and lay a wreath at Private Buckam Singh’s gravesite – this kind of recognition from the Minister, means a lot, as Sikh military contributions to the freedoms that we enjoy today as Canadians is recognized at the highest level,” said Brar.

In her address during the ceremony, Taylor highlighted the importance of honouring not only those courageous Sikh soldiers of the past, but all Canadians and their families who continue to serve.

“During this Veterans’ Week culminating on Remembrance Day, I encourage you to pause and honour the courage and sacrifice of Veterans like Private Singh, who have put service to our country before their very own lives,” said the Minister. “We can only contribute by learning about the legacy of Canada’s Armed Forces, our RCMP Members and veterans, and year-round, we can honour their sacrifices and build a better Canada, and yes, a better world. Lest we forget.”

Each year, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Police Services, Royal Canadian Legion branches, veterans and elected officials attend the ceremony, including representatives from federal, provincial and municipal governments. They were joined by over 200 people who gathered at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener where Private Buckam Singh was buried by the Canadian military with full honours in 1919.

For more information on the Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony, visit: www.sikhmuseum.com/remember

For more information on Private Buckam Singh, visit: http://www.sikhmuseum.com/buckam