MPP Arnott acknowledges 61st Anniversary of D-Day

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott spoke in the Ontario Legislature on June 6th to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the D-Day landing during World War II. He made the tribute on behalf of the Ontario PC Caucus.

Mr. Arnott told the House that the anniversary marked the day that “the guns of freedom were discharged on the beaches of Normandy, launching the final phase of the liberation of Europe from its Nazi enslavement.”

He also acknowledged the Royal Canadian Legions for the solemn observances they hold in memory of our nation at war, and spoke about the veterans of the World War II campaign in Holland who returned to that Country last month for a hero’s welcome.

Mr. Arnott then explained why D-Day is remembered as being crucial to the Allies’ victory in World War II.

“If the landings had been unsuccessful, it is not difficult to speculate that the war would have been prolonged, more lives would have been lost, and the human misery that war represents would have been intensified for millions,” he said.

Mr. Arnott paid tribute to a veteran from Waterloo-Wellington who served at that historic battleground.

“It has been my privilege to come to know well one of our Canadian veterans who participated in the Normandy campaign, having landed just hours after D-Day. Donald J. MacDougall of Harriston, who goes by the name of Tuffy, I think going back to his years in the Canadian army, is someone I admire greatly, because to me he exemplifies the courage and sacrifice of that entire generation,” Mr. Arnott told the House.

He concluded with a message about the lessons that need to be kept alive for generations to come.

“We need to know about what happened 61 years ago today. We need to make sure that our children know about it. We need to make certain that future generations, even after the passing of our veterans, continue to recognize the superlative valour of every single Canadian who wore a uniform when their country needed them and the millions whose toil here at home supported them,” he concluded.