6 June 2009
JUNO BEACH, FRANCE
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is leading a delegation of Canadian veterans to France for ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. This includes a ceremony at Juno Beach, which was the primary Canadian landing site during the D-Day operation.
“Sixty-five years ago, the free world called for Canada to lead right here at Juno beach and lead our soldiers, sailors and airmen did,” said the Prime Minister. “This was a critical achievement that helped turn the tide of war and rescue the world at its darkest hour. These heroes continue to represent the very best of what it means to be Canadian. We must honour those who served, and the fallen, and help to keep alive the values for which they fought and sacrificed so much.”
The official Government of Canada delegation includes veterans of the Battle of Normandy and several Canadian youth. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Canadian War Cemetery in Bény-sur-Mer and later joined Canadian veterans and students for a question and answer session about D-Day organized by the Dominion Institute’s Memory Project.
Earlier in the day, the Canadian delegation took part in a ceremony at the American War Cemetery marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day. The Prime Minister was joined by French President Nicholas Sarkozy, U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown in expressing gratitude for the courage and sacrifice of all allied veterans.
“We owe it to the French, English, American, Canadian and other Allied soldiers who fell on these sands to continue the fight for the principles that inspired their sacrifice.” said the Prime Minister. “Let us resolve — on behalf of our honoured veterans and the Canadians Forces Personnel who are once again serving bravely as part of the NATO mission in Afghanistan — that we will never forget, never surrender, and never waver in our determination to defend freedom, advance democracy, protect human rights and uphold the rule of law.”
