CP24.com readers were asked to share their Remembrance Day stories with us, whether they participated in the war or grew up with a loved one in service. These are their memories and the photos that have defined their experience.

Memories

Remembrance Day June 6 1944

Marilyn and I don't have any memorabilia or pictures, however we can share an experience and memories.

Some years ago we visited Europe and because of a colleague who worked with me at Canada Packers, we thought it important to spend a couple of days in Normandy for the following reason. His name was John Westlake, one of a family of six brothers, three of which served in the Second World War and who gave their all that fateful day June 6, 1944.

Bene Sur Mier in Normandy is the cemetery where the Canadian soldiers are interred.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when we went to find the graves, a time and place which altered the way we felt forever after when Remembrance Day is celebrated.

Previously we had visited the American cemetery with 10,000 crosses, row upon row. The only information on the cross was the name, rank ,and serial number of the soldier, no personal messages.

The markers for two of the brothers were side by side, with the other brother buried in a different part of the cemetery. Tears flowed freely that Sunday morning as we thought of the ultimate sacrifice that one family had made. Can you imagine having to tell that mother that all three of her sons had died on that beach in far away France.

By the way, last year the City of Toronto renamed a park WESTLAKE PARK, in remembrance of their sacrifice.

One aspect of the Canadian cemetery was the fact that there could be a brief message inscribed by the family.

As we were leaving the cemetery we stopped to read the inscription on one marker. This soldier was only 18 years old. A mother, father and sister from Guelph had this message "IF WE COULD ONLY SEE YOUR SMILING FACE ONE LAST TIME."

I would defy anyone to leave that sacred place with dry eyes that morning.

For any of you who have visited or served in Normandy, you know only too well of what I speak.

Art and Marilyn Gibney

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