Burlington Remembers Juno 75 with anniversary event at BPAC on May 6

This year will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the invasion of Juno Beach in Normandy, France by Canadian military forces during the Second World War on Tuesday, June 6, 1944.The landing played an integral role in the liberation of Europe during the war and contributed greatly to the war's successful end. Canadians suffered 1,200 casualties out of the 21,400 troops who landed at Juno that day, which amounts to a casualty ratio of about 1 out of 18.To honour the event and commemorate the sacrifices made by all the Canadians who were part of this Allied Forces victory, the City of Burlington is hosting a special event — Burlington Remembers Juno 75 — on Monday, May 6 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.The event is also meant to help educate people of all ages about the role Canada played in preserving the freedoms that we all enjoy.Residents are invited to join myself and veterans, their families, local dignitaries and representatives from the Juno Beach Centre in France to hear stories and the history behind Juno Beach and the impact it made on the world we know today.The evening will include performances of 1940’s music by the Burlington Teen Tour Band, along with speakers from local veterans’ families. Rarely-seen photos of the veterans’ lives and experiences will also be shown on the big screen.Everyone, of all ages, is welcome and invited afterwards to enjoy some sweets while exploring displays from the Juno Beach Centre, our local Legion, and more. Tickets for the event are free, but seating is limited, so please register for your tickets today at juno75.eventbrite.ca.A special showing of a short 12-minute film, They Walk With You, from the Juno Beach Centre will also be available for viewing after the main event for those who want to stay and experience authentic battlefield footage and additional accounts from this historic time. Please note, the graphic nature of some of the footage may not be suitable for all audiences and should be viewed with discretion.For more details on the event, please visit burlington.ca/juno75.MY TAKE:Our veterans and their families are a treasured part of Burlington's history, and the role our military played on D-Day at Juno Beach helped change the course of history. With the 75th anniversary upon us this year, it is important to commemorate this event and take pause to remember how it contributed to the many freedoms we enjoy today. I'll be attending the D-Day anniversary in person on June 6 in France and want to take this opportunity to first celebrate locally with our veterans, their families and our citizens on this special occasion.