Speaking Notes for

Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan , P.C., M.P.

Official Opening of the Juno Beach Centre

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today and declare that June 6th, 2003 be a Day of Recognition to commemorate the official opening of the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandy, France.

What a day it will be. Almost 1000 Canadian Veterans will gather on the beach, with our Prime Minister, to pay tribute to Canada's contribution during the Second World War.

Like Vimy during the Great War, Juno Beach demonstrated that Canada belonged on centre stage in the world.

Declaring this June 6 – which coincides with the 59th Anniversary of D-Day and the start of the Normandy Campaign - as a day of recognition acknowledges the dream of the members of the Juno Beach Association. I commend in particular its president, Mr. Garth Webb, whose dedication and determination have made the Juno Beach Centre a reality. The Government of Canada takes pride in assisting in the realization of this dream. I would like to thank Halifax Councillor Bill Warshick, the Member for Dartmouth, and my other colleagues, for conveying to me their interest in this particular initiative.

Mr. Speaker, 340 young Canadians lost their lives on D-Day. More casualties followed in the 10 weeks it took to cross the countryside of Normandy. 5,021 Canadians paid the supreme sacrifice. The numbers alone are telling. Yet, what brings us greater sorrow is knowing that we lost most of them in their prime. They never returned home. Many missed the opportunity to raise their own families, but they raised the banner of peace and freedom.

The Juno Beach Centre aims to memorialize for future generations the life lessons of this epic battle. It will teach future generations about the heroic role Canada played during the Second World War not only in Normandy, but places such as Hong Kong and Italy. It will remind us and teach the younger generations about the war effort on the home front.

All three of Canada's services - the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Army proved themselves to be a match against the powerful enemy forces they met. The Merchant Navy did their heroic part - carrying troops and the landing craft in which the troops stormed the beaches.

Mr. Speaker, this June 6 – a day of recognition for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre - I ask all Canadians to pause and reflect. Let us honour those gallant individuals – those who died in the battlefields, those who returned and those who toiled on the home front. Let us remember that they served with valour so that we – our children and our children's children - might live in freedom and in peace. They helped shape our nation. We owe them our never-ending gratitude. We shall carry forward their stories – their love of Canada and her values.

This we pledge to do – today, tomorrow, forever.