Mr. Speaker, 56 years ago today, as dawn was breaking, thousands of young Canadian soldiers in northern France were struggling to fight their way on to the beaches of Normandy. They faced murderous fire and hundreds died on those beaches.
Well disciplined, properly equipped and magnificently trained, they penetrated the defences of the Axis and moved inland. The Canadians pushed farther inland that day than any other allied unit.
The Royal Canadian Navy provided 109 ships and 10,000 sailors in direct support. The Royal Canadian Air Force attacked coastal defences and contributed to the battle for air supremacy, so essential to the success on the ground below.
Victory on the beaches of Normandy was critical in the struggle to free Europe. Let us today remember and honour those who gave everything, including life itself, in that struggle.