A couple of important events to the Canadian military were marked by Dave Munro on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Chemainus branch in lieu of public gatherings due to COVID-19.
Saturday, May 8 was Victory in Europe Day. It was 76 years ago on Tuesday, May 8, 1945 that Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces was accepted to end the Second World War in Europe.
Several countries around the world observe public holidays of the occasion.
It was also on May 8, but in 1968 that a military tragedy occurred when seven paratroopers drowned in the Ottawa River of the 22 blown off course during a training exercise at the Canadian military base in Petawawa, Ont.
Related story: Wreath-laying marks 1968 Petawawa parachuting tragedy
Last year was the first time ceremonies in Petawawa, put on by the Signal Corp Canadian Airborne Forces Association, and on Vancouver Island by the Canadian Airborne Forces Association Branch No. 8 Drop Zone Vancouver Island, were not held and pandemic restrictions prevented the public acknowledgement again.
Munro laid wreaths at the Chemainus cenotaph in commemoration of both events.