June 6, 2019
Manitoba Delegation Commemorates 75th Anniversary of D-Day in France
– – –An Overview, Look Ahead at Activities Honouring our Veterans
A delegation from Manitoba is in France for special commemoration services to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
“On behalf of all Manitobans, I am honoured to pay tribute to the brave souls who served and made the ultimate sacrifice at the D-Day and Normandy landings,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “Their selfless contributions have given us the freedom we are so blessed to enjoy today – something we must never take for granted.”
On June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, more than 150,000 Canadian, British and American forces landed on five beaches on the coast of France’s Normandy region. Some 359 Canadian soldiers died on that day, with more than 5,000 deaths during the two and a half months of fighting in Normandy. The invasion was one of the largest military operations in history and resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe.
Manitobans played a significant role in D-Day. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) were part of the first wave of landings and fought throughout the Normandy campaign while the Fort Garry Horse (FGH) regiment also landed on the beaches and provided armoured support during the invasion.
The premier will visit a number of sites and participate in commemoration services, including the Canadian War Cemetery at Bretteville-sur-Laize, with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles at RWR Monument in Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fort Garry Horse Commemoration, which will take place at the FGH memorial in Saint Aubin-sur-Mer.
Yesterday, the premier, along with Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler and Jon Reyes, special envoy for military affairs, commemorated the First World War battle of Vimy Ridge. In August 1916, the 44th Battalion (Manitoba) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was recruited and mobilized in Winnipeg and sent to France.
“It is truly the honour of a lifetime to have the opportunity to attend these historic commemorations,” Reyes said. “Let us never forget the sacrifices of those who served and continue to serve our country.”
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