(Art Burgess/ supplied photo)

By Ian Gustafson

Always remember

Red Deer Legion commemorates 81st anniversary of D-Day

Jun 6, 2025 | 4:53 PM

The Red Deer Canadian Legion Branch No. 35 commemorated the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Friday.

On this day in 1944, thousands of Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach in Normandy, France.

According to the Juno Beach Centre website, 381 Canadians died on D-Day and 5,500 were killed during the Battle of Normandy.

In total, 45,000 Canadians lost their lives in the Second World War.

Red Deer Canadian Legion Branch No. 35 president Art Burgess said to honour those who lost their lives on D-Day, they displayed flags in the branch.

Home-style dinner

Hope Mission to hold Easter dinner for Red Deer's most vulnerable residents

53m ago

robbery and assault charges

Pair charged after alleged machete attack

55m ago

Last seen March 31

Located: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

“Part of what we’re doing outside of Remembrance Day, we think about what else can we do throughout the year and this week in particular is one that stands out,” he said.

“There was a tremendous amount of service and sacrifice on D-Day. It’s almost hard to fathom a lot of these folks were quite young. People lied about their age to get into the service.”

They also honoured those who’ve fallen with multiple acts of respect throughout the week that started at the cemeteries on Tuesday.

On that day, they displayed Canadian flags at both cemeteries on veterans graves ,which will stay for the remainder of the month. That was followed by an event on Wednesday where veterans visited the legion for coffee followed by a dance later that evening.

Meanwhile, on Saturday they’ll hold a formal veteran’s dinner at the legion branch in Red Deer.

Burgess said the dinner is sold out as over 160 people will attend the event including representatives from every military group. Over 50 veterans are expected to attend the dinner, which is free of charge for them and their spouse.

In addition, they’ll have a fallen comrade table at the event that is meant for veterans who passed away while in service. The event will wrap up with a dance at the end of the night.

“What quite often gets forgotten is the impact. They don’t realize how important it was and how much of a sacrifice there was right across Canada,” he said. “There was a tremendous sacrifice from an awful lot of people from home and abroad… We want to keep it front and centre. It shows respect.”