10 November 2005
CPR to Stop All Trains Across Both Countries for Two Minutes of Silence
Canadian Pacific Railway, Canada's first transcontinental railway, will pay tribute on
11 Nov 2005 to those who served Canada and the United States to preserve freedom in both countries.
At 11 a.m. local time on 11 Nov 2005, CPR employees will bring all trains across Canada and the United States to a halt,
observing two minutes of silence in honour of those who have served their country in war. Following the silence, every CPR train
across Canada and the United States will sound one long train whistle blast - a CPR salute to the nations' war veterans.
This year, which marks the Year of the Veteran in Canada, all CPR employees who fought for Canada and the United States will be
honoured as part of Remembrance Day and Veterans' Day ceremonies at a special monument outside of the company's head office.
CPR CEO Rob Ritchie says the sacrifice that so many people gave in order to secure our future will never be forgotten. "For the
freedom we enjoy today, we owe it all to the brave men and women who served our countries and to those who continue to answer the
call to preserve democracy in the 21st century."
Military veteran and CPR pensioner, Les Davies says it's important to continue the tradition of remembrance. "In honouring the
efforts of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, we remember that if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have the freedom that we enjoy
now." Davies will be laying a wreath at the CPR ceremony to remember those whose lives were lost.
Current employees enlisted in the reserve in both countries also will be recognized at the event, as well as the role CPR, as a
company, has had supporting Canada and the United States during armed conflicts.
Some 33,127 Canadian Pacific employees served in the last century's two world conflicts alone. Sadly, 1,774 sacrificed their lives. A
total of 27 Canadian Pacific ships were lost in the two world wars.
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