This gallery features portraits of Canadian War Veterans that I photographed in Normandy in 1989. The veterans were in Normandy to commemorate the 45th anniversary of D-Day and the subsequent Battle of Normandy of WWII. The Canadian soldiers and officers landed on the morning of June 6, 1944 at "Juno beach" at or near Courselles-sur-Mer, in Normandy, France. Other Canadians in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force also participated in the landings and subsequent battle. These veterans were the survivors; their comrades killed in battle rest in the cemeteries of Normandy.
Read about American D-Day veterans from an American high school teacher and her students. Their comments are found just below the red image map.
Clicking on any name or thumbnail will show an enlarged image.
D-Day Links
American D-Day Veterans
Following is feedback about this website from an American high school teacher. She has sent me her report on a presentation of medals to American D-Day soldiers. I have also included a few of the reports written by students.
"I really enjoyed looking at the photos and seeing your web site. I teach French at Robinson High School in Robinson, Illinois. We just talked about Normandie and D-Day because our local VFW is presenting the Jubilee of Liberty Medal to the veterans of D-Day next Tues., Sept 2 at 12:30. My class wanted to take part - by handing out programs, or whatever they could do." -Judy Beckes
JUBILEE OF LIBERTY MEDAL
Presentation Ceremony
Attending the Jubilee of Liberty Medal presentation ceremony was a once in a lifetime experience. It is amazing that more than 50 veterans of one campaign, the Normandy invasion, live here in Crawford County and were present Sept. 2 to receive their award from the French government 53 years later. Each one of these men have a story to tell about that day which may be lost in a few years. Many of the veterans were young, 18, 19, and 20 year old men who were expected to fight and/or die for the cause of freedom which they did without any argument. It is hard for me or any of my students to understand the pride and patriotism felt in this country during WW2 which prompted these men to want to inlist and willing go into battle. That same pride could be seen on these veterans faces when they walked into the room.
It was good to see a lot of red, white, and blue, - patriotism, - pride, - waving the flag, -saluting, - and so many veterans in one place at one time. For my students, it may have been the first time for them to sing God Bless America, or to hear the French National Anthem, or to see our representative Chuck Hartke, or our congressman Glen Poshard, or to see a VFW color guard, or to see a man cry in public. It may also have been the first time to see a veteran of WW2 and to talk to a veteran of that war. After the initial awkward introduction, most students would find it easy to talk to a veteran. In fact, some students had to be pulled away because these men had so much to tell them.
My immediate goal was very clear, to have my students be present when history was being made. But ultimately, I wanted this ceremony to make a lasting impression on these students which they can share with others for the rest of their lives. -Teacher Judy Beckes
"Today we went on a field trip to the Robinson community center for French class. There we witnessed the presentation of The Jubilee of Liberty Medal Awards, where we honored vets of World War II during The Normandy invasion also known as ( D-Day). D-Day took place on June 6, 1944 on the beaches of Normandy, France. I'm almost certain that this is just another war many Americans would liked to forget, but can't because that battle is what saved Democracy. Therefore. without Democracy America would not be the land of the free. Not only is America considered the land of the free but also the land of the brave. These lines Americans hold very dear to their hearts, because many of our brothers, fathers, uncles, or grandfathers our the brave souls who gave us all the liberty we possess today. Therefore I felt very honored being at this ceremony which should have taken place many many years ago as appreciation for there courage which indeed lead to all the right they have done for our country. However, this is just a small token of our appreciation to these vets for there gracious acts of courage. Americans need to realize the reasons we are free, boys left our country the same age as my classmates scared and worried but went with courage and pride. The lucky ones came back men finding that many of their friends died for their country. and those not so fortunate ones took the fall. But no matter what always remember that all gave some and some gave all so that we could have the greatest nation of all. "-Becky
"The Jubilee of Liberty Medal Awards took place at the community center today. This event was organized to honor the veterans that fought in the Battle of Normandy on D-Day. D-Day was on June 6. I 944 on the beaches of Normandy, on the French channel coast. During the presentation of the medals to these brave men. I realized (as much as I could) just what it must have been like to fight in a battle such as this one. All around you was the smell of blood and dirt, there men screaming out in pain as they breathed their last breathe, and men holding the heads of their friends and brothers as they died. I, then looked around at the survivors and felt a great deal of gratitude to these men. It was men such as these that have made it possible to live under a government that allows us to be so much more free than most other countries.
I did not talk to one man in particular. But as I have listened to the stories of my peers, I found that these men went through a lot of emotional pain along with the physical pain. Although this particular battle was not over .American land or government, the Americans sacrificed their emotional and physical safety to fight for the rights of others.
I think that not only should this ceremony have taken place, but it should have taken place many years sooner than now. One reason would be, that some of the veterans have probably died of other causes by now. Also, the vets may have thought that nobody remembered their deed. But even though the ceremony was several years too late, I hope that the veterans of D-Day, now, feel appreciated." -Heather
"Crawford County probably has more living veterans in the state than any other county..." -Glenn Poshard
"Hearing this statement yesterday made me feel very proud as I watched the Jubilee of Liberty Medal Awards presented. I felt proud to live in a county that had remaining 58 veterans and I could only imagine what the veterans being honored felt like. Mr. Poshard said that before this ceremony the most medals that had been distributed to any one county had been four. These awards where given to veterans of D-day who where unable to attend a ceremony held in France in 1994 where the Liberty Medals where distributed. It was an unique and inspiring experience to watch these veterans receive their awards, but it was also sad to realize that many of these veterans won't be around much longer.
I talked to veteran Wayne Deaver, who belonged to the 3rd Armor Division of the U. S. Army, and he related his experience. His unit set out later in the invasion (after the first day) and landed on Omaha beach after first dawn. Their job was to destroy the enemy German tanks on the shore so that other units could land. Their staging area was near St. Lo but Mr. Deaver said that their unit didn't interact very much with the French people. After asking Mr. Deaver what he remembered the most about the battle he replied that when he saw the three thousand group of American airplanes- carriers, escorts, etc.- he had, "Never felt more proud to be an American than that day."
This whole experience brought about a sense of awe for me. It is easy to read about the invasion in the history books and watch movies about it, but listening to these old soldiers relate their experiences brought the whole battle alive to me. Their stories will more clearly express the situation than any book." -Paige
Your feedback on any aspect of the galleries would be appreciated.
(email: palmer@harrypalmergallery.ab.ca)
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