Message from the Admiral

RAdm Bob Auchterlonie

This year we commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the start of the final push that ended the Second World War.

It was the largest seaborne invasion in history and it cost Canadians and our allies dearly. The invasion was a success, but it was only possible by the progress made in the Battle of the Atlantic, the continued support from the home front, and by the sacrifices made by tens of thousands of Canadians.

We remember the fallen and their sacrifice, and we grieve with the families and friends whose loved ones will never return to us. They served with honour and integrity before making the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country, indeed to our way of life.

With the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, we have to keep in mind that for many Canadian families, there is no distant beach to point to as the final resting place for their loved ones, or a graveyard in France to visit. Many are entombed beneath the waves in the ships on which they served – salt water their consecrated resting place.

We all grieve with those families, for our fellow Canadians, and we work hard to remember as we live our daily lives.

Veterans speak in schools to teach the next generation, while serving Canadian Armed Forces members parade down streets nation-wide, and every cenotaph is surrounded by Canadians in solemn reflection.

The poppy we wear ensures we do not forget those that served and those that continue to serve to make possible for us the peaceful lives we enjoy today.

RAdm Bob Auchterlonie

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