June 6, 2019. OTTAWA. Today, we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in German-occupied France. Thus began the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Seventy-five years ago, among the Allied landing force of nearly 150,000 soldiers, over 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach. 110 ships and 10,000 sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy and 15 fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force contributed to Operation Overlord.
Addressing the nation on the morning of the D-Day landings, Prime Minister Mackenzie King said, “Let the hearts of all in Canada today be filled with silent prayer for the success of our own and Allied forces and for the early liberation of the people of Europe.”7
Canadian forces fought with valour and courage taking Juno Beach and helping establish the Allied bridgehead at Normandy. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties on D-Day. 359 Canadians were killed.
“Today, as we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we pay tribute to the Canadian soldiers who defended freedom during the Second World War,” stated Captain (Retd) Andre Sochaniwsky CD, President of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada. “Many thousands did not return home – their names are written upon gravestones and monuments across Europe. They gave their lives for the liberty of future generations. Today we honour their memory and reaffirm our eternal gratitude for their sacrifice and their bravery.”
Lest We Forget
Вічная Пам’ять
