星岛日报/为纪念二次大战盟军反击纳粹德军，在法国诺曼第抢滩成功这场重要战役，多伦多市府昨日在弥敦菲腊广场举行庄严的仪式，一班退役老兵亦出席了活动。
昨天多伦多的天气，有如66年前的6月6日盟军登陆诺曼第的天气一般，天阴微雨。在多伦多市政府大楼前的弥敦菲腊广场上举行庄严的“D-DAY纪念日”中，有不少是当年曾参与二次世界大战，在欧、亚战场上为捍护世界公义和平，保家卫国的退役加国老兵。
其中，曾参与诺曼第战役与盟军英勇抢滩成功，当年服役于加拿大女皇直属来福枪团(The Queen’s Own Rifles)纵队的救伤兵Edward‘Teddy’O’Halloran，获得多伦多市政府颁赠嘉许状，表扬他在诺曼第战役中，于枪林雨弹下奋不顾身抢救战场上受伤的同袍。嘉奖状由副市长彭德龙(Joe Pantalone)代表颁授。
彭德龙表示，大家今天能够生活在一个安定和自由的环境，是当年加国子第兵及盟军，以他们的鲜血和生命换取得来，希望大家共同维护一个自由民主公义的社会，捍卫世界和平，毋让血腥的战火重燃。在多伦多毋忘D-DAY的纪念日中，市民同时亦悼念为国捐躯的加国勇士。
在昨天的多市D-DAY纪念日，除有不少退役老兵参与外，还有多市警队、消防队、救护队、海陆空三军仪仗队等。在苏格兰风笛队引路下，旗帜飘扬，步伐整齐环绕广场一周后，随着军号响起，大家为在诺曼第战役中殉国的加国子第兵默哀一分钟，悬挂在广场旗杆上的国旗，亦徐徐下半旗。不少退役老兵，回想当年的悲壮战役，复感痛失同袍的伤痛，不禁老泪纵横。
诺曼第战役于1944年6月6日展开，盟军士兵渡过英吉列海峡，从法国的诺曼第展开反攻德国纳粹。诺曼第战役持续了超过2个月，最终盟军成功建立滩头堡，并在8月25日解放巴黎，宣告结束诺曼第战役。
加拿大在诺曼第战役中亦派出1.4万名士兵参与，其中有359名加军阵亡，1,074人受伤。二战胜利后，盟军为纪念这场反败为胜，击败纳粹德军的惨烈战役，把每年的6月6日定名为“D-DAY纪念日”。
Date: June 6, 2010
For immediate release
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the anniversary of D-Day:
“Sixty-six years ago, Canadian and Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in the cause of freedom and democracy. The Canadian Forces earned their place in the history books that day when they forged ahead by land, air and sea farther than any other Allied troops.
“Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast and people around the world honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought on D-Day. And we remember their proud legacy on the anniversary of one of Canada’s defining military endeavours. We also reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that 5,000 Canadians made during the Battle of Normandy to combat tyranny and secure our freedom, a sacrifice we must all remember.
“Just as we remember the bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian Forces in the past, it is also important to honour those Canadians who are currently deployed around the world fighting for freedom and justice in Afghanistan, or peacekeeping in places such as Sudan, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Our Government has committed to paying tribute to all of our Veterans and preserving our history for future generations by supporting community war memorials. These memorials will provide places for Canadians to reflect on the sacrifices of brave men and women throughout our history.
“Today, I join all Canadians in expressing our sincere thanks to our Veterans. Their contribution and service to Canada has made our country what it is today. Neither time nor distance will lessen our remembrance. Lest we forget.”
