Mr. Speaker, this is from one generation to another. Fifty years ago a battle of unimaginable ferocity was fought on the beaches of Normandy, a battle that will be talked about for a thousand years to come, one which will be known as the bravest day.
We live in freedom and prosperity today as a generation of ordinary Canadians who have never known the anguish of war and separation wish to say something to that generation who were there. We wish to say that we remember. We wish to thank them for their courage, their sacrifice and their deed.
This message of gratitude comes from ordinary people who have realized that to let this occasion pass without a salute to them would be a sad oversight which would surely bewilder generations to come. Whatever battles are left to be fought, let us all hope that the greatest one is now behind us.
This was written by Gary Hesketh to his father, a veteran and my friend, Red Hesketh, and inserted as a full page ad in the Toronto Star on June 6, 1994.