D-DAY 70TH ANNIVERSARY-TIME TO REFLECT ON CANADA'S CONTRIBUTION

June 6 1944 was such a major military mission that when reviewed historically it never ceases to amaze. Timing the exact day to try the invasion of Europe. Needing the right weather, the tide to be out and the element of surprise made the landing in Normandy a monumental task. 156,000 armed forces! The Canadians landed at Juno Beach. Glider planes landing behind enemy lines with equipment! Tanks, ships, planes! Montgomery felt it was not as successful as he wanted but history tells us it was a success. In 3 months, the Allied Forces were going into Germany with the Soviets coming from the East. Italy had been liberated with that campaign starting in September 1943.
Reflecting on this event it is so hard to imagine what that day was like for the men and women who served. We see old men on TV at anniversary events telling their story. Since it is the 70th anniversary of D-Day there are special celebrations in France as we speak. It is often bittersweet. Remembering brings tears and feelings, happy to be there but remembering the day and those who were lost. Since it has been 70 years, the veterans are getting up there-many now mostly in their 90s! If you see a Vet, get their story. If you have a Vet in your family, write it down as part of your family history. In Canada, you can write for your loved ones war records. I have the records on my grandfather from World War One.
We do not remember the events of war to honour war. We remember to acknowledge the sacrifice that others have made for our lives and our freedom, peace and security in Canada today. Yes if you can hug the Vet and get a picture. Seeing one gentleman on TV in Normandy, treated like a celebrity by the people there, make my heart happy. For those young people to let our guys know it meant something, the least we can do is tell our guys they mean something to us.