It was 75 years ago, on June 6, that allied forces invaded Normandy and continued the process of liberating German-occupied France from Nazi control.

Hundreds paid tribute to Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 infantry regiment, the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess MaryB次元官网网址檚) with a candlelight tribute at GodB次元官网网址檚 Acre Veterans Cemetery in Esquimalt Thursday night.

Candles were laid to the left of each gravestone, paying tribute to those who served.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very moving to remember all those forefathers of ours that made our country the place it is,B次元官网网址� said Melissa Hockey, president of the Chief and Petty Officers Association.

Hockey was there representing the WomenB次元官网网址檚 Veterans.

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The eveningB次元官网网址檚 honoured guest was Brigadier General (RetB次元官网网址檇) Michael E. Heppell, who was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess MaryB次元官网网址檚) in 1995 and promoted to Honorary Colonel in 2000, retiring in 2010 following 42 years of service in the Army Reserve.

D-Day was the beginning of the end of Second World War and Vancouver Island soldiers were there, giving their lives for freedom. The Canadian navy, army and air force played a huge role in the landings on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. More than 14,000 Canadians from 12 regiments stormed the beach, and soldiers from VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Canadian Scottish Regiment were some of the first to shore.

The regiment originated in Victoria in 1912 and bears 42 battle honours, some almost a century old.

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nina.grossman@blackpress.ca
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