Was D-Day a failure because it didn’t start with Churchill and Roosevelt walking into Berlin? Of course not, as no one would rightly argue that D-Day was not a success simply because it didn’t end Hitler’s rule. As we commemorate Veteran’s Week and take part in Remembrance Day events this week, we do well to reflect, not only on the sacrifices of Canadian men and women, but also the level of ingenuity and the prowess with which our Canadian military approached each and every battle they were involved in. “Operation Overlord” as the D-Day battle was known, involved 14,000 young Canadians storming Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. Their courage, determination and self-sacrifice were the reasons for the success. The fighting they endured was fierce and frightening. The price they paid was high - the battles for the beachhead cost 340 Canadian lives and another 574 wounded. John Keegan, eminent British historian who wrote Six Armies in Normandy, stated the following concerning the Canadian 3rd Division on D-Day: “At the end of the day, its forward elements stood deeper into France than those of any other division. The opposition the Canadians faced was stronger than that of any other beach save Omaha. That was an accomplishment in which the whole nation could take considerable pride.” When you are victorious after a battle within the battle it gives cause for celebration!