Ceremony  to Mark Eightieth Anniversary of VE Day

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39 presented a moving ceremony to mark the end of the war in Europe and the end of the Battle of the Atlantic to 20 attendees at Vegreville Cenotaph on May 8.  

Branch Chaplain Rev. Laureta Blondin opened by stating we remember all the many soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, so we also come into Thanksgiving for those who continue to strive for peace.

Following this, President Terry Kuzyk mentioned that since 1939, Canadian troops had been fighting at Dieppe, Hong Kong, in Normandy, and in the air over Germany. The Royal Canadian Navy had a vital role in protecting our shores and ships crossing the Atlantic.

Kuzyk went on to explain that more than one million Canadians served, with 42 thousand fatalities and tens of thousands more wounded or waiting for liberation from prisoners of war camps.

“The war was over in Europe, but it wasn’t till August of 1945 that Victory over Japan was accomplished with the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered on August 14, and it is now VJ Day.

With the Japanese defeated, the end of WWII was declared on September 2, 1945.

On a related subject, Branch 39 lost our last local WWII Veteran last week. She was living in Whitehorse.

Louise Miller, born Louise Sanford, joined the RCAF in 1941 and served till the end of the war. She was 103,” Kuzyk said.

Kuzyk read Honourable MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk’s address, which stated that 80 years ago today, the world was able to celebrate the victory of the Allied forces over the forces of fascism and tyranny in Europe. VE Day is a reminder to us all of the importance of liberty over oppression, and democracy over totalitarianism.

Kuzyk presented MP Shannon Stubbs’ message, which echoed similar sentiments.

After this, Mayor of Vegreville Tim MacPhee spoke about how he imagined the brave men and women in the military’s thoughts at this time were of returning home to their loved ones, friends, and communities to restart their lives. To know that there was no longer a need for fear of life being taken. A huge weight had been lifted for those men and women.

“It is always sad that we need to remember the lessons we have learned from our history and never let this happen again. On the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, it saddens me to see that the atrocities of war are being repeated around the globe,” MacPhee said.

MacPhee closed by expressing that we must do everything within our power to never repeat the mistakes of our history and cannot let the sacrifices of all those lost in war be forgotten.

County of Minburn Deputy Reeve Kevin Bentley said we owe an immeasurable debt to our Canadian servicemen and women; those who went overseas, and those who supported them here at home. Their legacy lives on in the peace we enjoy today and in the hearts of those who continue to serve.

“We also recognize the families-the mothers, fathers, siblings, and spouses who carried the heavy burden of war on the home front. Their strength, sacrifice, and perseverance were essential to the Allied effort and are too often unsung,” noted Bentley.