Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 officials joined with local World War II veterans to remember the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy on Monday at the Legion Branch on Great Northern Road.
This year’s ceremony was especially poignant, as Sault veterans were presented with Quilts of Valour in recognition for their service to Canada.
Three Sault veterans - World War II veterans Ken Anstice and Jens Lamour, along with Afghanistan and Iraq veteran Bryan Gagne - received handmade quilts made by volunteer members of the Quilts of Valour Canada Society.
“The Royal Canadian Legion will always be here for you,” said an emotional Helen Stewart, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 president.
The Quilts of Valour Canada Society was formed in 2006 and as of June 5, 2022, had presented 18,945 quilts to active and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are coping with injuries both visible and invisible.
An important point of conversation on Monday among Branch 25 officials - in keeping with Royal Canadian Legion officials across the country - is a proposed condo development on Juno Beach in France, where Canadian soldiers fought and died on D-Day and near the Juno Beach Centre, Canada's museum and memorial on the site.
Thousands of letters have been sent by Canadians to politicians in Ottawa and France with calls to protect the site.
“In my view, and not just in my view, it’s sacred land,” said Helen Stewart, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 president, speaking to SooToday after Monday’s D-Day ceremony.
“It’s where Canadians died on those beaches. I am sickened by the fact that they would actually want to build condos overlooking that and to block off the memorial. We’re going to try to do whatever we can. To get to those apartments they have to go through the memorial grounds to get to the apartments and I don't know how the government of France allowed that. It’s very sad that they would do this.”
“I’m appalled,” said Pierre Breckenridge, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 1st vice president.
“Thousands of people put their lives on the line to provide an opportunity for the rest of the world to be free, in particular France. The Royal Canadian Legion and the government of Canada are not going to get involved in other countries’ affairs, however I think as citizens we all have a duty to make our wishes known and let the politicians know your personal views. It may make a difference,” Breckenridge said.
“A citizens' campaign has been underway since March to help raise awareness in Canada, to capture the attention of the federal government, and raise funds to fight to preserve the integrity of the Juno Beach Centre and the sanctity of the site,” said Alex Fitzgerald-Black, Juno Beach Centre Association executive director in an email.
“If we’re going to preserve the sanctity of this hallowed ground and honour the memory of the soldiers who fought and died on D-Day, we need Canadians to speak up so our politicians will step up,” the website states, urging the Prime Minister to preserve Juno Beach as it is.
The online link to voice concerns about the Juno Beach condo development can be found here.
“My hope is that all Canadians look at the website and research it, and if they feel compelled, to sign the online petition,” said Richard Pihlaja, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 acting Sergeant at Arms.
“This morning I logged on and signed the petition and within five minutes I had an email back from the MP’s office from Sault Ste. Marie to accept the fact I signed the petition and we’ll see what we can do about it.”
“I was in Europe and did a tour of all the graveyards. We went to Juno Beach and went to that museum and it was just amazing to go through there. Unfortunately these buildings that they’re talking about are going to be built right beside that ground where the blood of Canadian soldiers was spilled. Everybody should support that petition. They just cannot have those buildings there,” said Ron Rouleau, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 2nd vice president and museum director.