LOOKING BACK: It was an exciting, emotion-filled day on May 8, 2005, as the Collingwood Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 63, hosted a massive 60th anniversary commemoration of Victory in Europe Day.
VE Day is the day in 1945 when the German armed forces signed an unconditional surrender to end the Second World War. Sixty years later, on a bright, warm, sun-filled May day, Collingwood citizens turned up in large numbers to honour our remaining veterans and to recognize this important day of remembrance.
Former Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson said it was important for young people to remember the sacrifices made by the veterans to ensure the horrors of the past are not repeated. Former Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis agreed with MPP Wilson’s comments, saying there was a time many decades ago when everyone knew what VE Day meant. She said young people need to be encouraged to understand and remember the sacrifices made by our veterans. Former Collingwood Mayor Terry Geddes said the Collingwood Legion’s event represented another opportunity for people of all ages to take a moment to salute the veterans. Geddes said without the sacrifices made by our veterans we would not be able to live here in peace.
