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In Hamilton, D-Day veterans were honoured at a ceremony on the waterfront, focused on a Canadian warship that took part in the D-Day battle, the HMCS Haida.
Haida has been called Canada’s most famous warship. And when the D-Day landing took place, it was taking part in the operation at sea, with the ship and its sailors playing their role in the liberation of Europe.
From the bow of the Second World War destroyer, dignitaries dropped carnations into the water.
On shore, D-Day veterans joined in honoring the wartime sacrifice.
Among them, Ralph Frayne.
HMCS Haida is a D-Day veteran.
It was operating along the coast of France to protect the troops landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Frayne was part of the ship’s crew: “Canada in the war did one hell of a good job. The recruits came from everywhere, they came without hesitation and they did their doggondest.”
HMCS Haida has been called Canada’s “fightingest” ship — credited with being part of the sinking of up to 14 enemy ships during the war and a submarine, then going on to the war in Korea.
Andy Barber was a Haida veteran: “It was a teriffic ship. She’s always had the best gunners. She’s always had a teriffic captain. She’s always had a good crew.”
70 years after D-Day, Frayne says he can feel sorry for the enemy who had to face Haida: “We sunk a troop ship with over 800 men on it. That gets, nowadays I think,I didn’t then, but now I think, oh boy, war is not good.”
Fellow navy veteran Alan Cudmore says Canada came out of the war well: “We were supposed to be fighting for freedom and democracy and that. Did we get it? I guess it’s up to the individual to make that decision. There’s nothing wrong with Canada, not a thing.”
MP David Sweet: “A legacy of peace freedom democracy and human rights.”
And 70 years later: “I think it was pretty scary.”
Haida’s example is an inspiration for a new generation learning about the Second World War and its veterans.
“I think it’d be pretty scary.”
“I think we owe these guys a lot because they served their lives for us and did everying for us just to protect us.”
HMCS Haida will be open this weekend and open late Saturday night until 10 with special celebrations for D-Day.
