Today is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion during the Second World War.
Several municipalities around the Island have flags lowered to half-mast to mark the day, including Comox, the home of 19 Wing.
A video published by Veterans Affairs Canada features veterans, including Leo Dionne, who served in the Canadian infantry during the invasion.
“You can never go to bed at night before thinking of the guys who died. They’re the ones that saved my life. They’re the ones that won the war. Not me, it’s them. They lived their life for their country, as simple as that,” he says.
Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel were in France for a ceremony today at Juno Beach, where the Canadian forces landed on D-Day. Prince William, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal were also in attendance.
Videos
Veterans Affairs Canada: D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
80th anniversary of D-Day – Canadian National Ceremony (France)
