Toronto commemorates D-Day with ceremony at City Hall

TORONTO, June 6 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto commemorated the 66th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy at City Hall's Nathan Phillips Square today. On June 6, 1944, Canada took part in the D-Day invasion that marked the beginning of the liberation of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark during the Second World War.

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone welcomed veterans and the public to the event. He concluded his comments about the Battle of Normandy by officially proclaiming "Toronto Remembers D-Day, June 6, 2010." Deputy Mayor Pantalone presented the proclamation to D-Day veteran and keynote speaker Edward "Teddy" O'Halloran a Warrant Officer with the Queen's Own Rifles and D-Day Veteran. Mr. O'Halloran's experience at Normandy in 1944 was relayed to the audience by his daughter Joanne O'Halloran.

Among the many other veterans participating in the today's event were George Keddy, a D-Day veteran and senior member of the Toronto Civic Honour Guard, who read the Act of Remembrance after Reveille; Janet Watt, president of the Wren Association of Toronto; and Leo Leach of the Toronto EMS Honour Guard. Janet and Leo sang a selection of Second World War era songs before the formal ceremony, then Leo Leach sang "O Canada" to open the ceremony, accompanied by pianist William O'Hara. Janet Watt later sang "God Save the Queen." Kevin Frankish of Citytv's Breakfast Television was the master of ceremonies.

Participating honour guards and bands included the Toronto Civic Honour Guard, Toronto Police Ceremonial Unit, Toronto Firefighters' War Veterans Colour Guard, Toronto Emergency Medical Services Honour Guard, Toronto Transit Commission Supervisory Honour Guard, the Canadian Armed Forces - 32 Brigade, HMCS York, the Royal Canadian Legion, Navy, Army, Air Force Veterans of Canada, Toronto Sea Cadet Alumni Association, Naval Officers Association of Canada/Toronto branch, Wren Association of Toronto, Navy League Cadet Corps Ark Royal, Toronto Police Pipe Band, Toronto Fire Services Pipes and Drums, Queen's Own Rifles and RCSCC Vanguard.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Visit our website at www.toronto.ca

For further information: Media contact: Idalina Lima Matias, Protocol, City of Toronto, [phone], cell: [phone], [email protected]