Canadians Commemorate D-Day at Juno Beach and in Ottawa

Canadians, including the prime minister and military veterans, gathered at ceremonies in Normandy and Ottawa June 6 to mark the 80th anniversary of one of the most important days in the Second World War.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and Prince William were among the dignitaries at the ceremony in Courseulles-su-Mer, France, an event attended by thousands.

Thirteen Canadian veterans who survived the battle on that very beach sat in the front row dressed in their military uniforms.

Mr. Trudeau addressed the veterans in his speech, saying “There are no words to describe the immensity of the debt we owe you.”

The prime minister also said that democracy was still under threat.

“Democracy is still under threat today,” Mr. Trudeau said. “It is threatened by aggressors who want to redraw borders. It is threatened by demagoguery, misinformation, disinformation, foreign interference.”

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Approximately 160,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, a fight that marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War. It was a moment that started the 77-day Battle of Normandy.

It was not an easy battle. More than 4,000 Allied troops were killed on the first day, including 381 Canadians. By the end, 73,000 Allied forces members had been killed and another 153,000 were wounded. Approximately 20,000 French civilians were also killed.

Historians have estimated between 4,000 and 9,000 German soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during D-Day. In total, 22,000 German soldiers are among those buried around Normandy.

More than 5,000 Canadians are buried in the area, including 359 of those who died on D-Day.

Mr. Trudeau said on social media that freedom was fought for on the beaches.

The Last Post was played during the ceremony and a moment of silence was held for those who lost their lives during the war effort.

Defence Minister Bill Blair, who was among the participants, laid a wreath on behalf of the Canadian government.

Retired Sergeant Wendy Jocko gave welcoming remarks, acknowledging the importance of the D-Day battle.

“They fought for freedom, for justice for a world free from the shackles of tyranny,” she said. “Through the hail of bullets and the deafening roar of artillery, they advanced their determination unwavering, their resolve unyielding. Their victory at Normandy was not just a military triumph. It was a testament to the indomitable human spirit. It was a declaration to the world that tyranny and oppression would not prevail.”

Sgt. Jocko also said that D-Day had a lasting impact on politics and society.

“It represented unprecedented international cooperation against a common enemy,“ she said. ”The events of the day and the subsequent liberation of Western Europe significantly shaped the course of the 20th century and continue to impact our world today.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.