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Beechwood National Memorial Centre - Media Advisory   MEDIA ADVISORY Governor General To Open The Beechwood National Memorial Centre  OTTAWA, April 4, 2008 − Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will officially open the new Beechwood National Memorial Centre at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa on Monday, April 7, 2008. Leaders from all levels of government will participate in the grand opening of this unique and stately multi-faith memorial facility, believed to be the first of its kind in the world. The new Centre will serve the memorial and commemorative needs of all Canadians and is a key milestone in the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation’s vision to obtain designation as the National Cemetery of Canada. The official party will include:  ·        The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada ·        The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) ·        The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P. ·        LGen (Ret’d) Roméo A. Dallaire ·        Major-General Timothy Grant, Deputy Commander CEFCOM, Canadian Forces ·        Deputy Commissioner Timothy Killam, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ·        Stanley Johnstone, Chaplain General, Canadian Forces ·        Larry O’Brien, Mayor of Ottawa ·        Grete Hale, Chair, The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation ·        Padre Gerry Peddle, Vice-Chair of The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation and former Chaplain General, Canadian Forces ·        Sylvia Ceacero, Executive Director, Beechwood Cemetery and Foundation  Upon her arrival, the Governor General will inspect an Honour Guard made up of Canadian Forces personnel. The ceremony following the Honour Guard inspection will last approximately 60 minutes.  When:             Monday, April 7, 2008   10:30 a.m. Media are asked to arrive on time as access to the Cemetery will be restricted after 10:30 a.m.  Where:           The Beechwood National Memorial Centre Beechwood Cemetery             280 Beechwood Avenue – Enter via St. Laurent Entrance Only             Ottawa, Ontario  Media contacts: Lisa Robertson  (613) 739-7032 Susan Wright      (613) 730-2020