I read this article again. Especially after the past few days, and more crap coming. It was powerful at first read but even more so now. It really touched me as you told your stories about the young heroes that are too often forgotten. It’s heartbreaking the horrors they endured for the price and sacrifice that was paid for Liberty from fascism. Whole families, battalions, comrades, communities devastated. We should never forget.
I have watched your video of ‘Fields of Normandy’ so many times now. The recording with the clips brought those heroes to life. Your voice is so suited to the song. It’s beautiful. You should have won a Juno award for this, at least a nomination. Now, who do I write to about this Grievous error?
Jim Parks is an amazing man. He is my wife's Great Uncle (she was there with the Parks family @ D-Day 2024). A quick interesting story...My wife's grandfather also served and landed at D-Day...in fact it was during the preparation when he first met Jim. Upon returning to Canada, they remained real good buddies, working in Winnipeg. They happen to go on a double date with two beautiful women who were sisters. Half way through the date they realized they got along with the other fellas girl better, so switched up. Well not long after they both married their respective preferred girl...and of course they became not only life long friends, but also brother-in-laws!
As I grow in years I realize we are here on this earth to fight for freedom and justice. If lucky we get to have some fun in between the fighting. This story brought tears to my eyes.
Charlie Thank you for an excellent article. My grandfather was Admiral Percy Nelles Chief of Naval Staff during most of WW2. Then he was Flag Officer for the RCN in the UK for D Day and on that day was with his men on the water as they stormed Juno Beach. Those Canadians showed such courage and we may need to show this again
Also great work with the Meidas team. Don’t let PP gain power. He consorted with convoy members funded with dark money.
I am so touched by all these stories and especially yours, Charlie. You bring your stories to life and make us feel like we’re there too. This is a beautiful tribute to the soldiers who were in horrific circumstances that only a few soldiers left from that time would know. We could never imagine. I have worked as an acute care Social Worker in the hospital and my most heartbreaking experience was with a 95 year old veteran who continued to have PTSD, flashbacks and terrible nightmares. These must have followed him all of his life. When you take the time to listen, you learn so much.
So thank you Charlie for this. We must always stand our ground in spite of the sacrifices.
Thank you Charlie Angus for crisscrossing the country warning of the dangers of fascism's re-emergence in the US and Canada.
As to Juno Beach, my father landed on that beach on July 7, 1944, part of the Royal Canadian Engineer's combat brigade tasked with mine-clearing, bridge-building, and combat actions to secure the gains made against the Nazis from D-Day (June 6, 1944). It was an exploding mine that ended his active army duty in October 1944.
We, the generations that have benefitted so much from the sacrifices of those who stormed the Normandy beaches in 1944, must take up the fight in whatever form required, and defeat fascism once again.
Thanks for reminding us of D-day and the brave men and women who liberated my parents' town and country. If you would like to read more about how that was for those Dutch, who waited and waited for the Allied troops in desperation and prepared in their own ways with resisting the Nazis, I will send you my novel. It was based on the records I found in the National Archives on my father and the information what he and his group did from 1943-1945, called Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
🌱💦 thank you so much for this piece and song - my father was in Juno 🇫🇷 Falaise a.s.f., then The Netherlands 🇳🇱 where he happened to met a fierce resistant, athlete, pianist, working in the Utrecht’s railroad station, the turning plate of all the wagons filled with prisoners sent to concentration camps. My mother used to steal for the underground never knowing the real names of her comrades. The war was fought on the ground by soldiers and their steel weapons - that’s was the more visible part of war, easier to recognize therefore honour... yet another war, not so spectacular fought fiercely by ordinary people who risked ALL to do extraordinarily yet anonymous acts of rebellion and survival. Oh the stories of fear, courage and shear love of Life, Humankind, Country and FREEDOM I remember... We are never going to be grateful enough and we will need to cherish our true freedom... soon. We need clarity about the fact that fighting for freedom is here... again. Love reading you Charlie
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax VII aircraft NP 799 OW-J was believed to have been shot down by a German night fighter on the way to operations against targets in Chemnitz, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Wippra, Sangerhausen, Germany
Sole survivor from his crew, FS WH Denison (RCAF) fell 22,000 feet inside the wreckage of his aircraft which landed in a pine forest. FS Denison regained consciousness on the ground, hanging from the remains of his turret. He was injured but had remarkably survived the fall. He was able to climb out to the wreckage and walk out of the forest but collapsed by a stream. FS Denison was eventually found by two Russian workers, who brought him to a German Army post. After a month recovering in a hospital in Eisleben, Germany he was transferred to Stalag VII. FS Denison was repatriated back to Canada August 5, 1945
Because of his experience and incredible survival, Harry Denison later acquired the nickname "No Chute". He is in the Guinness World Book of Records
My father volunteered and enlisted in the Canadian Army 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and was part of the Juno Beach landing on June 6, 1944.
Dad drove an army truck off a transport boat onto the beach. The Canadians suffered 50% casualties during the first wave, but despite the obstacles were off the beach within hours and began their advance inland. By the end of D Day, 30,000 Canadians had successfully landed and the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division had penetrated further into France than any other Allied force.
Dad volunteered as a dispatch rider, driving a Norton motor bike and delivering messages up and down the line, often far from the main body of the army. Basic pay was $1.30 a day, but he was paid an additional 15 cents a day as a dispatch rider since it was considered a high risk job. While overseas, he traveled in France, Belgium and Holland and was in Holland for the liberation.
Dad passed away in his 99th year in 2022. I am so glad that he isn't alive to see what is transpiring south of us. But as a fiercely proud Canadian, he would have cheered our elbows up attitude and our determination that we remain True. North. Strong. Free.
Charlie
I read this article again. Especially after the past few days, and more crap coming. It was powerful at first read but even more so now. It really touched me as you told your stories about the young heroes that are too often forgotten. It’s heartbreaking the horrors they endured for the price and sacrifice that was paid for Liberty from fascism. Whole families, battalions, comrades, communities devastated. We should never forget.
I have watched your video of ‘Fields of Normandy’ so many times now. The recording with the clips brought those heroes to life. Your voice is so suited to the song. It’s beautiful. You should have won a Juno award for this, at least a nomination. Now, who do I write to about this Grievous error?
Beautiful song, Charlie, Thank You!
Jim Parks is an amazing man. He is my wife's Great Uncle (she was there with the Parks family @ D-Day 2024). A quick interesting story...My wife's grandfather also served and landed at D-Day...in fact it was during the preparation when he first met Jim. Upon returning to Canada, they remained real good buddies, working in Winnipeg. They happen to go on a double date with two beautiful women who were sisters. Half way through the date they realized they got along with the other fellas girl better, so switched up. Well not long after they both married their respective preferred girl...and of course they became not only life long friends, but also brother-in-laws!
As I grow in years I realize we are here on this earth to fight for freedom and justice. If lucky we get to have some fun in between the fighting. This story brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you
Beautiful and moving!
That is beautiful Charlie. We have much to do.
Charlie Thank you for an excellent article. My grandfather was Admiral Percy Nelles Chief of Naval Staff during most of WW2. Then he was Flag Officer for the RCN in the UK for D Day and on that day was with his men on the water as they stormed Juno Beach. Those Canadians showed such courage and we may need to show this again
Also great work with the Meidas team. Don’t let PP gain power. He consorted with convoy members funded with dark money.
I am so touched by all these stories and especially yours, Charlie. You bring your stories to life and make us feel like we’re there too. This is a beautiful tribute to the soldiers who were in horrific circumstances that only a few soldiers left from that time would know. We could never imagine. I have worked as an acute care Social Worker in the hospital and my most heartbreaking experience was with a 95 year old veteran who continued to have PTSD, flashbacks and terrible nightmares. These must have followed him all of his life. When you take the time to listen, you learn so much.
So thank you Charlie for this. We must always stand our ground in spite of the sacrifices.
Kick at the darkness!
Thank you Charlie Angus for crisscrossing the country warning of the dangers of fascism's re-emergence in the US and Canada.
As to Juno Beach, my father landed on that beach on July 7, 1944, part of the Royal Canadian Engineer's combat brigade tasked with mine-clearing, bridge-building, and combat actions to secure the gains made against the Nazis from D-Day (June 6, 1944). It was an exploding mine that ended his active army duty in October 1944.
We, the generations that have benefitted so much from the sacrifices of those who stormed the Normandy beaches in 1944, must take up the fight in whatever form required, and defeat fascism once again.
Thanks for reminding us of D-day and the brave men and women who liberated my parents' town and country. If you would like to read more about how that was for those Dutch, who waited and waited for the Allied troops in desperation and prepared in their own ways with resisting the Nazis, I will send you my novel. It was based on the records I found in the National Archives on my father and the information what he and his group did from 1943-1945, called Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
🌱💦 thank you so much for this piece and song - my father was in Juno 🇫🇷 Falaise a.s.f., then The Netherlands 🇳🇱 where he happened to met a fierce resistant, athlete, pianist, working in the Utrecht’s railroad station, the turning plate of all the wagons filled with prisoners sent to concentration camps. My mother used to steal for the underground never knowing the real names of her comrades. The war was fought on the ground by soldiers and their steel weapons - that’s was the more visible part of war, easier to recognize therefore honour... yet another war, not so spectacular fought fiercely by ordinary people who risked ALL to do extraordinarily yet anonymous acts of rebellion and survival. Oh the stories of fear, courage and shear love of Life, Humankind, Country and FREEDOM I remember... We are never going to be grateful enough and we will need to cherish our true freedom... soon. We need clarity about the fact that fighting for freedom is here... again. Love reading you Charlie
My uncle Harry, “no chute”
426 Thunderbird Squadron (On Wings of Fire) RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Halifax VII aircraft NP 799 OW-J was believed to have been shot down by a German night fighter on the way to operations against targets in Chemnitz, Germany. The Halifax crashed at Wippra, Sangerhausen, Germany
Sole survivor from his crew, FS WH Denison (RCAF) fell 22,000 feet inside the wreckage of his aircraft which landed in a pine forest. FS Denison regained consciousness on the ground, hanging from the remains of his turret. He was injured but had remarkably survived the fall. He was able to climb out to the wreckage and walk out of the forest but collapsed by a stream. FS Denison was eventually found by two Russian workers, who brought him to a German Army post. After a month recovering in a hospital in Eisleben, Germany he was transferred to Stalag VII. FS Denison was repatriated back to Canada August 5, 1945
Because of his experience and incredible survival, Harry Denison later acquired the nickname "No Chute". He is in the Guinness World Book of Records
😮
We have visited Beny sur mer and Bretteville, Vimy Ridge monument and Juno beach museum - all moving, unforgettable….
Thank you, Charlie. Your essay is perfect for this day and these times. And the song is perfect too. Beautiful.
Thank for this wonderful song........so thoughtful.......and all the work you are doing for the resistance.
My father volunteered and enlisted in the Canadian Army 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and was part of the Juno Beach landing on June 6, 1944.
Dad drove an army truck off a transport boat onto the beach. The Canadians suffered 50% casualties during the first wave, but despite the obstacles were off the beach within hours and began their advance inland. By the end of D Day, 30,000 Canadians had successfully landed and the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division had penetrated further into France than any other Allied force.
Dad volunteered as a dispatch rider, driving a Norton motor bike and delivering messages up and down the line, often far from the main body of the army. Basic pay was $1.30 a day, but he was paid an additional 15 cents a day as a dispatch rider since it was considered a high risk job. While overseas, he traveled in France, Belgium and Holland and was in Holland for the liberation.
Dad passed away in his 99th year in 2022. I am so glad that he isn't alive to see what is transpiring south of us. But as a fiercely proud Canadian, he would have cheered our elbows up attitude and our determination that we remain True. North. Strong. Free.
We miss you, Dad.
I say the same thing, Karen: I'm so glad Dad isn't here to see this. His is an amazing story. (15 cents/day hazard pay!) ♥️