Calgary’s ‘Journey to Freedom Park’ monument unveiled this weekend

Calgary’s “Journey to Freedom Park” in the Southeast has a new monument to honour the Vietnamese Boat People who lost their lives escaping Vietnam.

Both the park and monument were built to commemorate those who tragically lost their lives in their Journey to Freedom, according to the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association.

It serves as a thankful message to the people of Canada and Calgarians for extending a helpful hand and welcoming Vietnamese refugees by expressing humanity and compassion, says the association.

It’s also a friendly reminder to future generations of Canadians, regardless of origins, of the spirit of democracy and freedom.

Premier Jason Kenny says he’s honoured to inaugurate the monument commemorating the inspiring story of the Vietnamese people who found refuge in Canada more than 40 years ago.

Honoured to inaugurate Calgary’s Journey to Freedom Park, unveiling the monument commemorating the inspiring story of the Vietnamese Boat People who found refuge in Canada 40+ years ago.

Those who fled Communist oppression have gone on to make an enormous contribution to Canada pic.twitter.com/HyN3uWT4wh

— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) July 1, 2022

Alberta UCP MLA for Calgary-Beddington and Minister of Seniors and Housing, Josephine Pon, added that she was thankful to the association for sharing the inauguration and for the unveiling of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument.

What a wonderful Canada Day of fun and culture with Premier @JasonKenney and other gov't colleagues. Thank you to the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association for sharing the inauguration of the Journey to Freedom Park and the unveiling of the Vietnamese Boat People Monument. pic.twitter.com/bnq4RYgQWE

— Josephine Pon (@PonJosephine) July 2, 2022

The Calgary Vietnamese association says we hope this park will become a landmark for everyone to enjoy and learn about the journey many had to endure.

–With files from Adeline Gladu