Oh Canada – you're just gone and did it again. Have we all enjoyed fun?
First of all, I want to make a sincere thanks to the Invictus Games 2025 Organizing Committee for their pure passion and hard work to make these extraordinary games possible.
Thank you to the Invictus Games Foundation, all volunteers, officials, VPD, RCMP, artists and artists, and of course all Canadians, for making these games special.
Team Canada !!!! You have made your country proud.
Thank you for bringing your heart to the foreground of these games and that you have showed us everything it was done.
On the first nations of the host, thank you for your partnership and your friendship in the past three years.
What your people have undergone should never have happened.
You have shown us what it looks like to fight for the survival of something much bigger – your country, your culture, your communities and your light.
You show the world how to continue. Armed with the truth to achieve reconciliation.
And for that we are grateful forever. Chin-Chin-Stwy.
Our Invictus women, spouses, girlfriends, friends, children, grandparents and friends, please stand and be recognized – we greet you.
We honor our comrades, friends or loved ones that we have lost to the fight or suicide tonight.
To those of whose journey to these games has been difficult and insecure … who wondered if you would make it here today … Thank you for showing us what is possible
When striving to save yourself, you also saved us all. Those who love you and those who don't even know you.
For the past 11 days I have met children to grandparents from all over the world – of different beliefs, backgrounds and skills.
I have seen how you changed them. Being a hero, being a role model – it's not just about resilience, skill or strength.
It's about integrity. Sympathy. Courage. You give us hope through your healing, honesty and humanity, and of course through your humor!
Our entire Invictus community, whether it is tonight or from home, makes the world a better place, and you do it by being your great self.
And here we are. More than ten years later. In a world that is still full of struggle and trauma.
And no matter how much we wanted these games were not necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever.
It is because of the power that you give to the world. The power of your example. Your duty towards each other.
You can swear faithfully at different flags, but you are united in your decency, your compassion and your mind of service.
I can't stand in front of you and promise that there are no challenging times.
But I promise you, you are now better rested than before.
You recovered what was lost. Recovered what was broken. Reached the impossible. Remember what you are doing.
Hold it. Trust it. Use it for yourself and the people around you, for service to each other will save us.
And although I never expected that we would still be here in 2025, from one soldier to the other, I promise you this too:
As long as our brothers and sisters strive to heal and grow, the games will continue.
As long as there are the whole world that you see with sympathy, instead of admiration and respect, the games will continue.
And as long as the challenges around us require and require … the games will continue.
Bring Invictus Birmingham 2027. Merci Beaucoup, Canada! Je'taime!
