FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2004

Local M.P.P. Mario Sergio Honours the Canadians who Sacrificed their lives in Italy During WWII

QUEEN'S PARK - Mario Sergio, M.P.P. for York West, together with Robert Bandiera and Enzo Di Mauro of Ital-Canada Fest 2004, held a wreath laying ceremony at Queen's Park earlier this week. The event was attended by a number of M.P.Ps and Italian dignitaries in honour of those brave Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives in Italy during the Second World War.

"While serving abroad our troops encountered a local populace ravaged by the horrors of war, witnessing the destruction of their beloved homeland. The Canadian contingent earned the respect of Italians. It is with great reverence that I offer my eternal thanks to those brave souls whom we honour today," said Mario Sergio, M.P.P.

The Italian campaign was fought between 1943-45 and was the first large-scale land operation in which the Canadian Army took part. More than 93, 000 Canadians fought for the liberation of Italy and of those, 20,000 were wounded and nearly 6,000 soldiers were killed.

"This selfless act serves as a unique testament to the irreplaceable bond that still exists between Canada and Italy. They have bestowed upon us a powerful message: that what is good for everyone is to be shared by everyone," said Mario Sergio, M.P.P.

Representatives attended the ceremony from the Italian Embassy, the Italian Consulate, Veteran's Affairs Canada, veteran Henry Watts, and a number of Italian military organizations and Italian associations.

For more information, contact:

Mario Sergio, M.P.P.
York West
(416) 585-7007