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News Release

June 6 , 2005

ONTARIO HONOURS VETERANS ON THE 61 ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Minister Thanks All Veterans For The Security and Freedoms We Enjoy Today

TORONTO – The Ontario government is urging citizens to honour those who fought with their fellow Canadians and Allies on D-Day 61 years ago, John Gerretsen, Minister Responsible for Seniors, said today.

“I encourage all Ontarians to take a moment on June 6 to acknowledge the enormous debt of gratitude we owe our veterans and to thank them for the security and freedoms we enjoy today,” said Gerretsen.

The invasion of Normandy was the largest combined sea, land and air offensive in history.

It took the lives of 359 Canadians. Another 574 were wounded and 47 were taken prisoner. Yet by day’s end, Canadians advanced through enemy lines further than any other force.

One million Canadians and Newfoundlanders volunteered to serve in the Second World War. That was almost one out of every 11 people in Canada at that time. Millions of others contributed on the home front. By the end of the war, one in 10 of those serving had died or were wounded. D-Day and the Battle of Normandy marked a turning point in the war that led to victory in Europe.

“Today, Ontario is proud to have some 100,000 Second World War veterans sharing with us the peace and safety they helped preserve,” said Gerretsen. “While many are well into their 80s and 90s, their zest for life is ageless.”

Ontario is committed to ensuring that future generations recognize and remember the contributions of all our veterans, those who were lucky enough to survive, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. With the support of the Government of Ontario, veterans are bringing history alive for students through an innovative project called the Memory Project, led by the Dominion Institute.

The Memory Project helps veterans share their stories in their own words and voices face-to-face with students in classrooms across the province as well as online through the Memory Project website (www.thememoryproject.com). This year, the Memory Project “Road Show” travels to eight Ontario cities, bringing together veterans, youth, archivists, historians and community members to digitally record veterans’ stories and their artifacts such as medals, photographs and letters. These will become accessible for generations to come on the Memory Project website.

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Contacts:
Patti Munce, Minister’s Office, (416) 585-6333
Lily Pavlovic, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7607