Second World War veterans (from left) Gordon Norrish, Walter Georgeson, Harold Thorpe, Bernie McNicholl and Tom Lambon wait for the Colour Party to march past during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)
A group of about 80 people took part in a memorial service commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday.
A total of 14,000 Canadians landed or parachuted into Juno Beach on June 6, 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties, including 359 deaths.
During the 75th anniversary ceremony in Chilliwack, eight Second World War veterans who currently live here were recognized. They are:
Len Fitzgerald
Walter Georgeson
Warner Hockin
Tom Lambon
Harry Mayne
Bernie McNicholl
Gordon Norrish
Harold Thorpe
Five of the eight veterans were in attendance at the ceremony (Georgeson, Lambon, McNicholl, Norrish and Thorpe).
Warner Hockin is currently in France — he’s one of about 50 Canadian D-Day veterans who were invited to Normandy to visit Juno Beach and commemorate 75 years since the beginning of the end of the Second World War.
Second World War veteran Harold Thorpe listens during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Chilliwack’s 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony took place at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Walter Georgeson listens during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)The Colour Party during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Piper Dan McDermid plays during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)People watch the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Tom Lambon waves as people applaud him during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Bernie McNicholl salutes during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Connor Knill puts his arm around his mother Sharon Bolton during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Tom Lambon salutes during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)A man lays a wreath during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Walter Georgeson laughs during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Chilliwack’s 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony took place at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veterans, Bernie McNicholl and Harold Thorpe, leave the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veterans (from left) Gordon Norrish, Walter Georgeson, Harold Thorpe, Bernie McNicholl and Tom Lambon wait for the Colour Party to march past during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)Second World War veteran Tom Lambon (right) laughs with fellow vets during the 75th anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Legion Memorial Gardens on Watson Road in Chilliwack on Thursday. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)A total of 359 Canadians died on D-Day on June 6, 1944. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress)
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