Today was a big day in history and I am so honoured and privileged to have attended the 75th D-Day anniversary ceremony at Juno Beach. It was great to see the flag waving and the appreciation of the French people who still celebrate freedom and the heroes who liberated them. The ceremony was much like one for Remembrance Day. Many politicians and VIPs attended, but as always, the veterans were the heroes and stars. A parade of youth entered from the beach, 359 in all, one for each Canadian life lost on D-Day. There were several fly-overs, a 21 gun salute, and stirring storytelling. As usual, it was Sergeant Victor Wiebe of the 3rd Div. Intelligence Corps who was foremost in my mind. I was proud to represent my grandfather in some small way and felt that I had fulfilled some sort of duty by making the pilgrimage to the same beach he fought on 75 years ago. Sergeant Norm Kirby garnered the biggest applause when he stood to receive accolades as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his story. Current members of Canada's armed forces joined D-Day veterans and their families on the beach following the ceremony. After having gratefully accepted a ride to the ceremony from our Airbnb host, we decided to walk the 10 km back along the beaches. We stopped at Canada House in Bernieres-sur-Mer, the first home liberated on June 6th, 1944. We checked out the gun turret and monuments in St. Aubin-sur-Mer and caught the end of a British ceremony in Langrune-sur-Mer. We walked the entire stretch of Juno Beach and Sword Beach, taking in the re-enactments, the faux military camps, the vehicle parades, and the fly-overs. What struck me most, however, were those who seemed oblivious to the day's significance - those who were simply enjoying a day at the beach. Initially I was angered at what I perceived as a lack of due respect, but then I realized that this was the entire point - people should have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit, and to enjoy them when possible. Touchingly, importantly, and happily life goes on.
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