Province Supports Juno Beach Centre

A commemorative brick from the people of Nova Scotia will honour the role Canadians and, particularly, Nova Scotians, played in the Second World War at a memorial centre in Normandy. Deputy Premier Ron Russell presented a cheque and an inscribed plaque at a ceremony today, Nov. 8.

"It is important to remember the efforts of those overseas and at home who helped preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today," said Mr. Russell. "Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia played an important role during that war, and it is fitting that the province support this important initiative."

The commemorative brick will be installed at the Juno Beach Centre, located on the Normandy coast, at Courseulles-sur-Mer, site of Canada's D-Day landing. The centre will inform visitors about Canadian participation in the war, the war effort at home and the emergence of Canada on the world stage.

Mr. Russell said the centre will remain a lasting tribute to all Canadians who sacrificed and struggled to preserve freedom during the Second World War. The $25,000 cheque is the province's contribution to the memorial.

"We are pleased to be putting this memorial on the beach and pleased with the support of Nova Scotia," said Douglas Shanks, associate director of the Juno Beach Centre Association. "This memorial is for our children, their children and future generations, as well as for the world to know what Canada did for freedom."

The Juno Beach Centre is under construction and is expected to open on June 6, 2003, 59 years after the original landing by Canadian troops. The project is being led by Canadian veterans of the Second World War.

More information about the centre is available on the Internet, at www.junobeach.org .