May 23, 2015 – Over 100 people were in attendance in Vernon (Pleasant Valley Cemetery), to recognize and remember the 11 men who perished in the Vernon Internment Camp (a number of which were Croats) during Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920.
Among those in attendance were Minister Jason Kenney, a number of local politicians, and several members of clergy (including Fra Dujo who made his way from Vancouver for the ceremony) as well as members of the Endowment Council of the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (CFWWIRF).
The Croatian-Canadian community was well represented at this ceremony, in particular by people living in Vernon and Kelowna, as well as the leader of the Croatian Internment Project, Frank Jankac and the Chair of the CFWWIRF, Ivan Grbesic who addressed those in attendance.
It is important to give a voice to those who perished, remember their suffering and contributions to our country, and ensure that Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914 to 1920 forms an integral part of our Canadian history.
