WATCH: The sacrifice of millions who fought and died during WWII, including Canadians, was recognized on Friday. Eric Sorensen has the story.
OTTAWA ̶ The 70th anniversary of VE day was celebrated in Ottawa on Friday, as a parade of re-enactors dressed in period military uniforms drove World War II veterans to the National War Memorial from city hall in vintage military vehicles.
This anniversary marks the end of the war against Nazi Germany and its allies in Europe from 1940-1945.
Some of the few remaining veterans came out in the 27-degree-Celsius heat to commemorate the anniversary. Female veteran, Gloria Stewart, 91, who was also a war bride, was part of the convoy. She volunteered with the British air force.
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“It was a period of my life which I thoroughly enjoyed,” she said. “My husband was a Canadian soldier, and I’ve never lived it down that I was in the air force and didn’t marry an airman.”
Stewart moved to Canada when she was 22 with her husband and their 10-month old son, who was sitting in the back seat while his mother sat in the front of the old-fashioned car.
Re-enactors came from all over Ontario, and even the U.S., to be a part of the parade. Eric Turner serves in the Army National Guard in the U.S. and has been doing re-enactments for 22 years.
“It’s very important not only to remember veterans… but also the unique perspective that the Canadians have and the contribution that they made in the war,” he said.
Spectators surrounded the War Memorial, where Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole greeted the veterans as they arrived to watch the ceremony. Richard Coles was there in honour of his father who fought in France and in the Middle East.
“Thinking of my father who was in the Second World War. He survived – thank goodness – as did many others, but it left them all with scars. I’m so grateful for this country that we live in and all that they gave to Canada and the other countries,” Coles said.
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