Family and staff at the Parkwood Institute surprised Second World War veteran Charles (Charlie) Jackson with a birthday drive-by to mark his 100th birthday in London, Ont. Saturday.

Amid virus fears and worries about the fading memories of the fast-aging war generation, about 500 participants, reduced from 6,200 last year, mourned the dead with a minute of silence.

The missing Japanese make up about half of the 2.4 million soldiers who died overseas during Japan’s military rampage across Asia in the early 20th century.

Norman Poulter let Global News in on the secret to a long life: "Try and get some good sleep," he said. 

"As long as you could walk, they were happy to have you," Mervin Fisher said.

According to Veterans Affairs, outside of Ontario, the largest number of veterans still living are in B.C.

Police say they searched a vehicle during a routine traffic stop and found a large bronze plaque that had been removed from the Dieppe Veterans' Memorial on Beach Boulevard.

The memorial is in honour of a Canadian war hero who is known for wounding a prominent Nazi commander in WWII.

Jack Fettig is a Second World War veteran who is just shy of his 100th birthday. He's been looking forward to attending the 75th D-Day anniversary ceremony in Lethbridge for some time.

The role of Canada's "most fightingest ship" in the Normandy invasion was commemorated with a ceremony on Hamilton's waterfront on Wednesday evening.