A delegation of French students from the Westlake Brothers Souvenir Association (WBSA) will be in Sarnia on Thursday to pay tribute to World War II (WWII) veterans and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to help liberate France.
The WBSA members, based in Caen, Normandy, France, are between the ages of 14 and 21. Their Canadian tour will conclude in Sarnia after visiting various cities such as Montreal, Quebec, and Ottawa, Ontario.
Sarnia Legion and 1st Hussars Association member Bill Chafe said WBSA will typically send a delegation to Canada every few years but this will be their first visit since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"Anytime we get an opportunity to remember our veterans, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, it's a special moment for all of us who served and wore the uniform," said Chafe. "To have these young French students … it's really enlightening to have them join us and listen to their service and realize that they are taking the time to remember those who liberated their homeland."
A service, which is open to the public, will be held on Thursday at the Calamity Tank, on the south side of the Sarnia Legion on Front Street (weather permitting). It is scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. but the service itself will take place closer to the 11th hour.
"It's their service and most of it will be in French. I know there will be a roll call of the number of WWII veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the liberation of France," said Chafe.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel and President of the 1st Hussars Association Joe Murray said just as WBSA members visit Canada, area members will visit France as well to "maintain the history between the two nations."
"Next year will be the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing," said Murray. "It's one of the pivotal moments in not only Canadian history but world history. In WWII Canada had over one million men and women in uniform and on that day, D-Day, we landed over 15,000 soldiers who fought their way across France - through Normandy especially - to Belgium, Holland, and Germany, and helped to bring freedom to Europe."
Murray said the 1st Hussars will be sending about 35 members of the association to Normandy next year in late April, or early May.
The 1st Hussars is a regiment in the Canadian Army based out of London and Sarnia.
-With files from Colin Gowdy
