The numbers get smaller as the remembrance ceremonies continue. For so many, Remembrance Day is the lone day to commemorate the fallen and those who served.
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However, for those who were at the front and those who were left behind every battle is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans.
June 6, 1944, D-Day was a turning point for the allies in the battle for global freedom and the enemy taking over country after country for world dominance.
As a part of Operation Overlord, the sea invasion was scheduled for June 5 but stormy weather prevent the full force of the attack. In the early morning of June 6, Operation Neptune, the largest amphibious invasion in history, resulted in gaining a foothold and is credited for being one of the turning points of World War II. It had a cost, according to the Canadian governments website, almost 5,000 Canadians pledged their allegiance with 907 paying the supreme sacrifice, 1946 were captured and made prisoners of war and 514 were injured. The rest made it off the beach and into the towns to help in the liberation.
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Allied forces attacked Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches while the Americans stormed Omaha Beach. Casualties were high for both sides.
For 79 years, the Legion has remembered those who braved the shores of Normandy. Those who stepped of the landing crafts in a hail of gunfire and died on the beaches are commemorated with a monument at Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.
Here, the Royal Canadian Branch 89 and the Ladies Auxiliary of the branch lay wreaths at the civic cemetery in the veterans section to remember those whose final resting place is not with their comrades in Cochrane but in cemeteries in Europe.
Members of the legion marched into the cemetery and paused while Dianne R. Denault, Chaplain, said a few words. Branch President Patricia Nelson and Ladies Auxiliary President Dorothy Smith then laid wreaths in remembrance. Veteran Lloyd M. Denault also laid a wreath on behalf of the veterans.
Afterwards Canadian flags were placed at the base of the headstones of those at the cemetery.