D-Day and the ensuing Battle of Normandy was one of Canada’s most significant military engagements of the 20th century. More than 90,000 Canadian soldiers saw action in the Normandy Campaign and more than 5,000 died.
On June 6, 1944, some 14,000 Canadians stormed the beaches of Normandy with Allied troops to breach Nazi Germany’s “Fortress Europe.” On that day — known as D-Day — 359 Canadian soldiers were killed.
In the months leading up to the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy on June 6, 2019, Veterans Affairs Canada will be partnering with VIA Rail Canada, Parks Canada, and community organizations to hold events in communities across Canada.
Larger image of infographic
Cross-country train launched
On Friday, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, launched the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy at VIA Rail’s Pacific Central Train Station in Vancouver. He was joined by Normandy Veterans, youth, guests, and Canadian Armed Forces members.
Special guests Richard Tilley, whose late father Captain Harold Tilley is featured on the poster, and Master Warrant Officer (Ret’d) George Chow CD and Norm Kirby — veterans of the Normandy Campaign — helped Minister MacAulay unveil the official 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy poster.
A pair of combat boots, symbol of the many Canadians who took a similar journey during the Second World War to serve their country, was placed on The Canadian to begin their train voyage to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where many troops departed for Europe 75 years ago.
Minister MacAulay said, “I want to encourage all Canadians to connect with the stories of Canadians during the Second World War, follow this commemorative train as it journeys across Canada, and take a moment to reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made for our freedom.”
The hashtags #CanadaRemembers and #DDay75 will be used on social media to follow the train and other events related to the anniversary.
Stories about D-Day and the Battle of Normandy are on Veterans Affairs’ Faces of Freedom.
This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the end of Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan, and the 75th anniversaries of the Battle of the Scheldt and the Italian Campaign during the Second World War.
So information on train trip missing ???? What where when more info please
No information about the train schedule has been made available yet.
From Veterans Affairs Canada website https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/d-day/75th-anniversary/events-canada
Throughout April, May and June the train will travel to the following locations. Stay tuned as more locations will be added over the coming weeks!
April 2 – Churchill, MB
April 24 – Edmonton, AB
April 30 – Jasper, AB
May 3 – Saskatoon, SK
May 8 – Winnipeg, MB
May 15 – Toronto, ON
May 17 – Victoria, BC*
May 18 – Kingston, ON
May 26 – Québec City, QC
May 30 – Moncton, NB
June 3 – Halifax, NS