Calling All D-Day Veterans – 75th Anniversary of D-Day
COURTESY POST FROM JUNO BEACH CENTRE – 19 February 2019: To mark the upcoming 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, the Government of Canada is planning both in Canada and overseas events in June 2019.
An official Government of Canada delegation will be travelling overseas, departing on June 2 and returning June 9, 2019, to attend commemorative ceremonies and events at a number of different sites in the Normandy region of France. As well, a second Government of Canada delegation will participate in a series of events to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia around the June 6th anniversary date of D-Day. The intent is to share the stories and experiences of all participating Veterans both in-Canada and overseas with Canadians via social media and other platforms.
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is seeking nominations of Canadian Second World War Veterans of D-Day and the Normandy Campaign to be part of the official delegations participating in the VAC led official Government of Canada programs referenced above. All official nominations are being sought via three major national Veterans organizations: The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command (RCL); the Army, Navy Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS) and the National Council of Veterans Associations in Canada (NCVA).
If you are aware of any D-Day or Battle of Normandy Veteran who could be considered as a delegate, based on the criteria outlined above, please submit their name and contact information before February 25, 2019, to one of the following:
The RCL National Headquarters
Email: dmartin@legion.ca
ANAVETS’ Dominion Headquarters
Email: ANAVETS@STORM.CA
The NCVA National Headquarters
Email: ncva@waramps.ca
Those nominated must have been Canadian citizens at the time of their service and capable of travelling either in-Canada or overseas to participate in the program. Please note, as well, that all nominees will be required to complete a medical examination to confirm their ability to travel.
Please do not hesitate to contact Peter Mills, Manager-Overseas Events, at 613-293-7611 or peter.mills@canada.ca , should you have any questions.
For other travellers:
You must register online with Veterans Affairs Canada if you plan to attend ceremony on June 6, 2019.To register, go to Veterans Affair Canada.
Registration will close on March 31, 2019, or earlier if capacity is reached. Registration on the day of the ceremony will not be possible.
For updated information regarding access to the site, event schedule and transportation details, please consult the Veterans Affairs Canada website regularly at veterans.gc.ca/D-Day75 . Please contact vac.normandy2019-normandie2019.acc@canada.ca with any questions.
