Canadian War Museum Commemorates 60th Anniversary of D-Day
Ottawa, Ontario, May 19, 2004 — The Canadian War Museum commemorates the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings with a slate of activities beginning Tuesday, June 1, see below for details.
Determined to end four years of often-brutal German occupation, on 6 June 1944, Allied forces participated in the greatest seaborne invasion in history along an 80-kilometre front in Normandy, France. Of the nearly 150,000 Allied troops who landed or parachuted into the invasion area, 14,000 were Canadians. D-Day was one of the turning points of the war. Although the Allies encountered German defences bristling with artillery, machine guns, mines, and booby-traps, the invasion was a success.
Tuesday, June 1
Speaker Series, 7:00 p.m. in the Eaton Room, Free! – D-Day: The Greatest Invasion – A People’s History. Mr. Dan van der Vat will discuss his experiences while writing D:Day A People’s History, in which he recorded the stories of many – both soldiers and civilians – whose lives were touched by that historic day.
Saturday, June 5
Historical Military Vehicle Display, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Courtyard, Free! – Military vehicle collectors will showcase a variety of vehicles from different time periods in honour of the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
Sunday, June 6
Meet a Veteran, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Second World War Gallery – Veterans will be on hand at the D-Day exhibition on the second level of the Museum to answer your questions and share their experiences of participating in the D-Day landings and the Normandy Campaign.
60th Anniversary of D-Day Ride, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Courtyard, Free! – Up to 150 motorcyclists will arrive at the Museum to support the Passing the Torch Fundraising Campaign in honour of D-Day. A must-see for motorcycle enthusiasts. Organized by The Friends of the Canadian War Museum.
Commemorative Ceremony, 7:30 p.m., Courtyard (weather permitting), Free! – Commemorate D-Day with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, the only Ottawa unit to land on D-Day. The ceremony will feature a guard contingent, a performance by the Cameron’s Pipes and Drums and the lowering of the flag.
All Weekend
Book Sale, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., War Museum Boutique – The CWM Boutique and Vanwell Books Ltd. present a special D-Day book sale. Many titles to choose from!
Information (media) :
Christina Selin
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian War Museum
Telephone: (819) 776-8607
Cellphone: (613) 371-4402
Fax: (819) 776-8623
E-mail: mailto:christina.selin@warmuseum.ca
Pierre Leduc
Communications Officer
Canadian War Museum
Phone: (819) 776-8608
E-mail: mailto:pierre.leduc@warmuseum.ca
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