The Royal Canadian Legion - Branch 24 marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day — the end of fighting in Europe during the Second World War following the surrender of German military forces — with a ceremony at Rotary Park on May 8.
Piper Dan MacKinnon led the colour party into into the park, where Legion members, air and army cadets, law enforcement, first responders, and Indigenous representatives, along with the public, gathered at the Cenotaph to reflect and remember those who have and continue to serve.
Padre Gordon Henry offered prayers and prepared remarks outlining Canada's history and role in the Second World War.
Canada declared war on Germany on Sept. 10, 1939, seven days after Britain did the same in response to Germany's invasion of Poland.
Over 1 million Canadian served over the course of the war, with 45,000 casualties and 55,000 wounded.
Canadian military forces were pivotal in the war effort across the globe, including the Dieppe raid in France in 1942, Operation Overlord and the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944 and the liberation of the Netherlands in the following months of the Allies gaining a foothold in Europe.
The war ended on May 7, 1945, with a preliminary surrender document being signed in Reims, France, however, a a more definitive and formal Instrument of Surrender was signed between Allied forces and Germany the next day in Berlin.
Larry Miller reflected on how Cranbrook residents reacted once news broke of the war ending.
"All businesses were shut down for the day. Some local stores gave the children many candy bars that were rationed during the war years," Miller said. "A parade was quickly assembled near the C.P.R station and paraded down Baker St. to the cenotaph, which at that time, was located in front of the court house in the vicinity of today's Safeway store where a short service took place.
"... After the cenotaph service, the parade reformed and marched to the children's playground — today's Rotary Park, where a public service of thanksgiving was held."
