70th anniversary of D-Day the focus of Decoration Day ceremonies

SPRING BAY—Decoration Day, June 6, 1944, means different things to those who were in battle, and those who were young but remember the time.

“I was in the English Channel between 10 to 15 ships running 10 mile sweeps, back and forth for three or four days, looking to cut off German ships or submarines,” stated Allan Tustian, who serviced in the Canadian Navy. “We didn’t see any real action in our group in that period of time. We were on regular routine.”

Don Watson, now of Gore Bay, was five at the time and living with his parents in England. “There were five army camps around my home, and one day all the soldiers were lined up at Barnard Castle in County Durham. As kids we would talk to the British soldiers, but this day we knew something special was happening because they had chocolates they were giving us.”

“Then they were out of the area within three days,” said Mr. Watson. “We didn’t realize until after what was taking place. They were part of the British Army that was taking part in the (Normandy) invasion.”

It was with these kinds of thoughts and sentiments that the annual Decoration Day ceremonies were held this past Sunday at the Manitoulin District Cenotaph in Spring Bay.

“What a wonderful gathering here today,” stated Comrade Roy Eaton, master of ceremonies for the event. “I would like to thank all of you for coming out here today for this ceremony, especially all those who travelled so far for this ceremony. Each year, Branch 177 Little Current and Branch 514, Western Manitoulin, alternate as hosts for this special day to pay homage to the men and women who served in our country’s forces and those of our allies. It is through their courage and sacrifice that these men and women have helped to ensure that we live in freedom and peace, while also fostering the same around the world.”

Mr. Eaton explained, “On September 15, 1921, over 2,000 people gathered near here to dedicate a new memorial to the veterans of the First World War. The original monument honouring the war dead of Carnarvon and Campbell townships consisted of a soldier carved from white marble imported from Italy standing upon a stone base. It was located in the centre of the highway just north of us.”

“In 1959, a car collided with the monument, destroying both the statue and the monument,” said Mr. Eaton. “This new cenotaph honouring the war dead of all of the Manitoulin district was built at its present location.”

“It was decided that each year on the first Sunday in June, we would gather together to pay our respects to those who gave their lives in service to their country and to pay tribute to all veterans who fought to ensure the freedom we enjoy in this land. This year, on June 6, is the 70th anniversary of D-Day where our brave men fought, were wounded and died on Juno Beach in Normandy. On that day 15,000 Canadians were part of the invasion force. June 6 was the beginning of a 10-week campaign in Normandy, which would claim 18,000 Canadian casualties and 5,000 deaths.

“The Manitoulin Cenotaph was designed and built by a group of Canadian veterans led by John C. Bryan to commemorate fallen comrades who are buried in foreign lands,” said Mr. Eaton. “Inscribed are 129 names of those who died in WWI and WWII and were buried in foreign lands. In addition is a special plaque to honour those who died in the Korean War.”

“At today’s ceremony we are honoured to have present a number of dignitaries who will speak to us about their feelings on this momentous day,” continued Mr. Eaton.

Mr. Eaton’s comments had followed the ‘march on’ led by parade marshal Robert Smith with Legionnaires and visiting dignitaries. The District and Zone Officers ‘fall out’ took place, and the parade got into position with the marshal turning the parade over to Comrade Eaton. While the parade stood at ease, the opening prayer was delivered by Reverend Sherry De Jonge, followed by the parade at attention and the singing of O Canada.

“Thank you once again for the kind invitation and it is an honour to be here with you today,” stated Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to the local Legions for hosting this ceremony.”

“Decoration Day gives us an occasion when we take the time to pay tribute and honour those who have lost their lives while serving our country,” said Ms. Hughes. “It is a day that reminds us of the sacrifices for the freedom we have today. It links our past to our present, and it also reminds us how blessed we are to have such courageous men and women who dedicate themselves day in and day out to serve in our Canadian military.”

“To our veterans and those who are currently serving, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our nation, whether in war, in peace keeping or in providing support to your comrades,” continued Ms. Hughes. “Your dedication is truly remarkable.”

“To the families of service men and service women, thank you for sharing your loved ones with us,” said Ms. Hughes. “Without that support, they would not be able or have been able to focus on the tasks at hand. As we commemorate the brave men and women who have lost their lives in the service of their country, we must also rededicate ourselves to supporting those who are currently serving and our veterans.”

“It is also important to remind our government that they cannot merely pay lip service to that sentiment,” said Ms. Hughes. “As my colleague Peter Stoffer has previously stated, when it comes to our veterans, “we have a moral, social, legal and fiduciary responsibility to care for those you ask to put in harm’s way.”

“Let us pay tribute and honour those who have served, those who are currently serving and let us renew our commitments to these amazing individuals as we continue with today’s celebrations and the 70th anniversary of D-Day,” said Ms. Hughes. “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them,” she said, concluding her remarks by reading the poem ‘Remember Them,’ written by D. Ross Campbell.

Gerry Ferguson, Legion District H Commander, told the large gathering, “It is great to see so many veterans here today. I would like to say thank you very much for coming out and attending this ceremony.”

Fred Medynski, Zone H-3 commander, said, “I represent 13 branches of the Legion, and Decoration Day was the forerunner to Remembrance Day. We celebrate the joy of life and the passing of comrades. Let us always remember them.”

Following the speeches, the Last Post, one minute of silence, the Lament, and Rouse took place.

The Act of Remembrance was read by Mr. Eaton. “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

Manitoulin Sea Cadets Post Command Officer Lieutenant Denis Blake, accompanied by Comrade Linda Bowerman, addressed the large crowd. Mr. Blake explained, “in April 2012 I had the honour to accompany 26 students from Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) to northern France and Holland. We spent 10 days there visiting Normandy, Juno Beach and other war memorials. In the village of Passchendaele I had the opportunity to collect some of the soil at the location that Lt. Colonel John McCrae had stood upon when he wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’.”

“Today, we will be mixing some of that soil with the soil in the cenotaph garden,” said Mr. Blake.

Those who took part in wreath laying ceremonies included MP Carol Hughes accompanied by a cadet escort as Member of Parliament; Navy Lieutenant Maggie King with cadet escort on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces; District H Comrade District Commander Gerry Ferguson with cadet escort; Zone H-3 Comrade Zone Commander Fred Medynski with cadet escort; Legion 177 Branch president Ron Steeves on behalf of all aboriginal veterans, then on behalf of the Legion; Comrade Linda Bowerman on behalf of the Legion Branch 177 Ladies Auxiliary; Legion Branch 514 President Carrie Lewis with cadet escort; Red Butler, with cadet escort on behalf of the Korea War Veterans; Jack Chapelle, vice president of the Royal Canadian Naval association, escorted by Bryan Chappelle, president of the Manitoulin Naval Vets; Post Comrade Officer Lieutenant Dennis Blake with escort on behalf of the Merchant Navy; Leona Bury with cadet escort for the Royal Canadian Air Force; Comrade Sue Morin, escorted by Lieutenant Denis Blake, on behalf of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Manitoulin 348; Denis Blake for the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police; on behalf of the Township of Central Manitoulin, Deputy Mayor Ted Taylor and cadet escort; on behalf of the Haweater unit of the Sudbury Shrine Club was Noble Ed Elchyshyn, with escort Noble Ted Taylor; Sudbury/Manitoulin District Masons of Doric Lodge-R.W. Bro. Keith Legge with cadet escort; the Sudbury Shrine Club, Al Burns, with escort from Noble Chuck Searle; Children of Manitoulin, Amelia Lewis with cadet escort Alexis French; Murray and Toots McDermid shared the duties of laying three wreaths in memory of Hugh Bailey, John Bailey and Norman Lockyer, escorted by three cadets; Linda Bowerman in memory of Mel Bowerman senior with cadet escort; Mel Bowerman Junior in memory of Mel Bowerman senior.

Navy Lieutenant Maggie King and Commodore Linda Bowerman took part in the laying of a wreath on behalf of all women who served for Canada in conflicts at the Manitoulin Women’s Memorial.

“We once again thank all who joined us today in this tribute to our veterans,” said Mr. Eaton. “In particular, the members of the Sudbury and District Pipe Band who, with their attendance here today, are carrying on a tradition started by the Sault-Sudbury Regiment in 1938. They have maintained this commitment to attend Manitoulin’s Decoration Day on the first Sunday in June since that time.”

Among those in attendance for the ceremony, and who have attended for many years, were Bob Bryson and Bill McKnight. One of the reasons veteran Mr. Bryson takes part is, “I like to come for the fraternity and support Roy as chair. Both of us are Shriners and Manitoulin has quite a group of people who are on the Sudbury Shriners Club.”

“I enjoy coming over to the ceremonies here on Manitoulin,” added Mr. McKnight. “There are not many of us left from the Second World War.”

Mr. Bryson explained, “I was in England at the time of D-Day and I watched the sky suddenly fill with airplanes. We knew it was on right then and there that the invasion had started.”

“I was in the army guards,” veteran Dennis Dockrell told The Expositor. “I trained artillery personnel. It was a very hard, difficult time to face.”