Strohschein: To those who remain, thank you
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- Published on Thursday, June 5, 2014
By: Neil Strohschein
Seventy years ago today, 14,500 Canadian soldiers, supported by 100 ships and 10,000 sailors hit the shore of Juno Beach in central Normandy, France.
They were joined by 131,500 British soldiers and were supported by scores of ships and aircraft. Their goal was to get troops and equipment ashore, secure the beach and move inland, fighting house to house if necessary (and it was) to force the German armies to retreat.
Within one week of landing, the forces that attacked Juno Beach had moved nine kilometres inland. The beach was secure, reinforcements and supplies were en route and the enemy was in retreat.
The Normandy invasion was a massive operation. British, American and Canadian forces landed on five separate beaches along the north coast of France. Of the five, Omaha Beach (one of two assigned to American forces) had the highest number of enemy fortifications and as a result, the highest number of casualties. Juno Beach was second.
Of the 14,500 Canadians who landed on Juno, 1,000 were killed in action. An additional 1,800 were injured, but their heroic efforts, along with the efforts of their British colleagues and those who landed on the other beaches, changed the outcome of WWII and put the allies on the path to ultimate victory.
It’s hard to believe that 70 years have passed since D-Day. Not many of those who took part in that invasion are alive today. Those who are will be in their early to mid-90s. But on this day, the few whose health permits will be back at Juno Beach, paying tribute to their comrades who were killed in action. The rest will pause to remember and perhaps will raise a glass to toast their fallen comrades as an act of respect.
I believe that all Canadians should join them in offering a silent prayer of thanks for those who fought and died on D-Day. Their efforts helped create a better world for all of us. They deserve our gratitude and respect.
If you ask them why they went to war, most will tell you that they didn’t have a choice. They were drafted. They answered the call of duty. They went overseas and they followed orders — all the while hoping and praying that they would live through the ordeal and be among those who made it back home.
They didn’t have any lofty ideals or goals. They didn’t go to war to change the world. They went to help a neighbour in need. Our friends in Europe were asking for our help. As good neighbours and friends, we sent what help we could. Those who could go to war did.
Those who couldn’t supported the troops in whatever way they could by working on farms and in factories, putting together care packages, writing encouraging letters and praying for the safety of those on the front lines.
The victory on D-Day and the subsequent victory over Hitler’s forces in Europe were victories shared by all Canadians because we all had a role in helping to win that war.
But on this day, we pay special tribute to the 14,500 Canadians who hit the shores of France at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. We honour and pay tribute to those who gave their lives helping secure that beach. We express gratitude to God for those who, upon returning home, worked hard to build their families and their communities.
Today, a grateful country thanks you. In your honour, we offer the following prayer: “Lord God of hosts; be with us yet; lest we forget, lest we forget.”
