Remembrance Week activities in Ottawa began with the unveiling of the bronze figures of 14 people known collectively as "the Valiants."

From the 17th century to the present day, the 14 were honoured Sunday for their contributions to the country.

For example, Laura Secord walked 30 kilometres through the woods by herself to warn Loyalist forces of an attack the Americans were planning in the War of 1812.

General Sir Arthur Currie was once a struggling real estate agent who became Canada's first and greatest general.

He led Canadian forces to victory at Vimy Ridge in France in the First World War. Currie is also credited with the Canadian Corps' sweeping victories in that conflict's final 100 days.

"He rose from a gunner -- a private, up through the ranks to being a full general commanding the Canadian Corps," Capt. Arthur William Currie, the general's grandson, told CTV Ottawa. "I'm very proud of it."

Gen. Currie is one of five who got a life-sized bust. Nine others got bronze busts.

Selecting the 14 honoured was a tricky exercise, historian Jack Granatstein told The Canadian Press.

"It's a Canadian sort of thing," he said. "We have to have a woman or two, we have to have an ethnic; there must be regional representation. It's like building a cabinet."

The $1.1-million project was funded by the federal government and private donations. The statues and busts are located close to the National War Memorial.

Governor General Michaelle Jean attended the elaborate ceremony and paid tribute to all of Canada's troops in her remarks.

"Wherever they serve -- in Canada and around the world -- they are the guardians of our security, our freedom, and the way of life we hold dear," she said.

The statues are close to the ground, rather than up on pedestals, so people can see them up close.

"As we quite literally rub shoulders with them, we understand that their presence and their influence live on," Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson told the crowd.

Capt. Currie, who now shares his interest in the military as a cadet instructor cadret of the Canadian Forces Reserve, hopes Canadians will take interest in all these historic heroes.

"I hope they take away a piece of history and they go home and do research on each person to see what part they played in Canadian history," he said.

With a report from CTV's Graham Richardson and files from The Canadian Press