Toronto
commemorates D-Day with ceremony at City Hall
TORONTO,
June /CNW/ - The City of Toronto commemorated the 66th anniversary of
D-Day and the Battle of Normandy at City Hall's Nathan Phillips Square
today. On June 6, 1944, Canada took part in the D-Day invasion that marked
the beginning of the liberation of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and
Denmark during the Second World War.
Deputy
Mayor Joe Pantalone welcomed veterans and the public to the event. He
concluded his comments about the Battle of Normandy by officially
proclaiming "Toronto Remembers D-Day, June 6, 2010." Deputy
Mayor Pantalone presented the proclamation to D-Day veteran and keynote
speaker Edward "Teddy" O'Halloran a Warrant Officer with the
Queen's Own Rifles and D-Day Veteran. Mr. O'Halloran's experience at
Normandy in 1944 was relayed to the audience by his daughter Joanne
O'Halloran.
Among
the many other veterans participating in the today's event were George
Keddy, a D-Day veteran and senior member of the Toronto Civic Honour
Guard, who read the Act of Remembrance after Reveille; Janet Watt,
president of the Wren Association of Toronto; and Leo Leach of the Toronto
EMS Honour Guard. Janet and Leo sang a selection of Second World War era
songs before the formal ceremony, then Leo Leach sang "O Canada"
to open the ceremony, accompanied by pianist William O'Hara. Janet Watt
later sang "God Save the Queen." Kevin Frankish of Citytv's
Breakfast Television was the master of ceremonies.
Participating
honour guards and bands included the Toronto Civic Honour Guard, Toronto
Police Ceremonial Unit, Toronto Firefighters' War Veterans Colour Guard,
Toronto Emergency Medical Services Honour Guard, Toronto Transit
Commission Supervisory Honour Guard, the Canadian Armed Forces - 32
Brigade, HMCS York, the Royal Canadian Legion, Navy, Army, Air Force
Veterans of Canada, Toronto Sea Cadet Alumni Association, Naval Officers
Association of Canada/Toronto branch, Wren Association of Toronto, Navy
League Cadet Corps Ark Royal, Toronto Police Pipe Band, Toronto Fire
Services Pipes and Drums, Queen's Own Rifles and RCSCC Vanguard.
Toronto
is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a
diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine
of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North
America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and
efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is
dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its
residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs,
Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
