Juno Beach Centre Official Opening

June 6, 2003

Live on CBC Newsworld/RDI
June 6, 2003 11am EDT

On June 6, 1944, Canadian soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. Almost 60 years later on June 6, 2003, about 1,000 Canadian Veterans, as well as dignitaries, students, and a Canadian Forces Honour Guard will travel to that same beach for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre.

The Juno Beach Centre is an educational facility for all ages. The Centre provides recognition of Canada's military and civilian contributions during the Second World War. Visitors to Juno Beach Centre will come to know the deeds and contributions of Canadian soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant marines. They will also come to understand more about the cities, towns and countryside of Canada that produced the volunteers for these forces, supported them through industry and kept the home fires burning.

The exhibits enable people to trace the evolution of Canada from the Second World War to Canada in the twenty-first century, a nation of 30 million people in a huge and varied landscape; a prosperous, thriving country well respected throughout the world as a peacekeeper and a land of opportunity.

In total, the Government of Canada has provided over $3 million in funding to the Centre and will continue to provide an annual contribution of $200,000 to cover the cost of interpretative programming.

Through its support, the Government of Canada is helping to preserve and pass on a legacy of sacrifice and achievement to future generations.

History, News Releases and Speeches

• Canada and the Second World War
• Normandy 1944
• June 7, 2003 - 59th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
  Le Mémorial Canadian Memorial Garden
• June 7, 2003 - 59th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
  Luncheon at Le Mémorial de Caen
• June 6, 2003 - 59th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
  Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
• June 5, 2003 - Minister of Veterans Affairs to participate in overseas commemorative events
• June 3, 2003 - Official Opening of the Juno Beach Centre
• June 3, 2003 - Canadians Encouraged to Recognize D-Day
• March 14, 2003 - Additional Federal Funding Announced for Juno Beach Centre
• May 30, 2002 - $1 Million in Federal Funding Announced for Juno Beach Centre