On Thursday, June 6th, hundreds gathered at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. This event held a special significance as Sunnybrook, which officially opened as a war veteran’s hospital in 1948, is the largest veterans’ care facility in Canada.
The commemoration service took place at the Sunnybrook Cenotaph, a monument dedicated to those who have served in the line of duty. A procession, including veterans, their family members, and Sunnybrook staff, commenced at 1:45 PM from the Veterans’ wing to the Cenotaph.
Among the dignitaries present were Sunnybrook President & CEO Dr. Andy Smith, The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Brigadier-General Josh Major, and former Commanding Officer (CO) 400 Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Holbrook. Their presence underscored the significance of the event, honouring those who served and sacrificed.
The service concluded with a poignant moment as three Harvard aircraft, piloted by Percy Contractor, Sean Voskamp, and Scott McMaster, from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association in Tillsonburg, Ontario, performed a D-Day commemoration flypast over Sunnybrook Hospital and the Cenotaph. This aerial salute was a fitting tribute to the veterans, symbolising respect and honour for their service.
The event was a powerful reminder of the 359 Canadian soldiers who were killed on D-Day and the 5000 more who died during the Battle of Normandy campaign. It was an emotional moment, reflecting on those who are gone and those who remain. Their service and sacrifice for our freedom today is immeasurable.
As we share these captured moments from the commemoration, we hope they serve as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of our veterans. Not just on D-Day, but every day, we remember their sacrifice.
We will remember them.
Gus & Clara - Gusair 
You must be logged in to post a comment.