Minister Fantino joins Veterans to honour those who served during D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Reference: N14054E
June 7, 2014 – Normandy, France – Veterans Affairs Canada
It has been an emotional week for Canadian Veterans who returned to Normandy, France, to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. Almost 100 Canadian Veterans from the campaign visited former battlefields to pay their respects to fallen comrades, and reflect on their massive accomplishment that helped signal the beginning of the end of the Second World War.
Earlier this week, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, attended the unveiling of new tribute markers mounted at the Juno Beach Centre in honour of those Canadians who were killed in action on D-Day.
Yesterday, Minister Fantino and Veterans attended the international ceremony in Ouistreham, in the British Sector of Sword Beach. The Government of Canada also hosted a signature event at the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer. Close to 6,000 people were in attendance, including their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall; and the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.
Today, Minister Fantino joined the Veterans for a commemorative ceremony at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, in Cintheaux, to pay tribute to the 2,793 Canadians who rest there. The Minister and Veterans also participated in ceremonies organized by the Canadian Battlefields Foundation at the Canadian Garden, Le Mémorial Museum, as well as at La Place de l’Ancienne Boucherie and at the garden of l’Abbaye d’Ardenne.
Though anniversary events in France and Canada will soon come to a close, the heightened period of commemoration for both the First and Second World War will continue as the country approaches the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
Barbara Mottram
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
