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ABOUT CANADA’S D-DAY TRIBUTE
On 6 June 1944, 14,000 Canadians took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy, France that would eventually lead to an overall Allied Victory in European theatres of war. It would become known to history as D-Day. The Canadian Armed Forces suffered 5,500 casualties during the Normandy Campaign; 359 Canadians lost their lives on Juno Beach on the first day.
Throughout 2014, the Juno Beach Centre will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. This is a rare opportunity to draw special attention to the Canadian veterans who participated in the Normandy Campaign, including those who lost their lives on 6 June 1944.
During the last week of May 2014, tribute markers – one for every Canadian killed on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944 – were installed on the grounds of the Juno Beach Centre. The markers stand a metre high and are made of Canadian maple. Each contains the name of a Canadian who died on D-Day, his hometown, and his regiment, along with the sponsoring organization or individual. An inauguration ceremony was held on June 5, attended by French and Canadian citizens, veterans, and Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino.
The men who died were more than just uniforms with names: they had stories, loved and were loved, and had plans for their lives after the war. To find out more about them, browse biographical information compiled by the Lest We Forget program and the generosity of those connected with these men.
Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters in Canada and France, each and every one of the 359 Canadians killed in action on June 6, 1944 was honoured as a part of this important 70th Anniversary initiative.
Visitors to the Juno Beach Centre were moved by the installation. Over the past twelve months more than 100,000 people walked through the rows of Tribute Markers, reading the plaques and taking a moment to reflect on the brave Canadians being honoured.
