Speech at opening of Little Norway Memorial Building

Honourable Minister Clement,
District Chair Adams,
Member of Parliament Miller,
Excellencies,
dear veterans and families,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I have come up from The United Nations in New York this morning to celebrate with you the opening of Little Norway Memorial Building, to thank Canada and its representatives, and to pay tribute to the men and women who reported here for duty to serve their country, freedom and democracy.

It is not least in the United Nations that we must honour the memory of the young people who trained here more than sixty years ago.

It is for us and coming generations to build that peaceful world that they dreamed about and that many of them died for.

They were 3 300. Most of them only boys, who made their way through a world at war to report for duty here at Little Norway.

They were sailors, workers, and whalers, and each had a story to tell of how they came the long way to Canada.

One young recruit reported here how he had travelled through the Soviet Union, India, Turkey, South-Africa and South America before ending up in Little Norway. In the report the secretary wrote: "He came the usual way -------"

Another 19 years old, Wilfred Skrede, escaped Norway in 1941 and travelled for one year across Siberia, China, and India, to get to Little Norway.

Bjørn Næss, a seasoned pilot, having fought in the battle of Norway, travelled through all of Asia to get to Canada. Spending 10 months at Muskoka, and six months ferrying planes to England, he finally joined the 76th Squadron flying Halifax bombers in October 1942. His young life ended three months later, over Berlin.

Many of those who trained here returned overseas to join the Norwegian squadrons in the Royal Air Force. Some patrolled the North Atlantic from the base in Reykjavik, escorting supply convoys and fighting submarines. And others flew night raids over Europe and took part in the allied invasion of Normandy.

From 1942 till 1945 the airspace over our heads was filled with roaring of Fairchild and Curtiss planes.  Norwegians taking off and landing. Preparing for their return to Europe ­- to fight against the German occupants.

 

The story of little Norway is a story of courage and sacrifice, of friendships forged, loved ones lost and heroes to remember.

Before us are some of the great men of Little Norway, members of a generation that passed history’s test.

They grew up during the great depression. Used their youth to fight and win a war. And built peace and prosperity in their mature years. In your senior years, its therefore fitting that my generation pays tribute to those who were tested and who risked so much, and to whom we are indebted.

This is an occasion also to commemorate Ole Reistad. The rock upon which Little Norway was built. Throughout the war this Olympic champion was a father figure and an inspiration to the people who served here.

It is a great privilege to have Ole Reistad’s son and daughter, Kjell Arne and Ragnhild, present here to day.

Canada and Norway are close allies, and we are working together in tackling our common global challenges.  Our commitment today remains the same - a life in security and prosperity for all.

On this day, I would like to thank Fed Nor, and the District Municipality of Muskoka through its District Chair, Gord Adams for their contributions. I would also like to thank Al Bacon, along with other members of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the veterans and their families in the Norwegian-Canadian community. We are also grateful to Lars Lindgren for curating the collection, and, to the Norwegian Consul General in Toronto Mr. Eivind Hoff.

 

And again, we thank the 3 300 who trained here. We thank them by striving to build a better, more just, more peaceful world.

And with these words, I have the great honour and privilege to officially open the Little Norway Memorial Building.

Thank you!