Canadians Honour the 70th Anniversary of Operation Husky

Operation Husky 2013 honours Canadian soldiers in Sicily, Italy in July

PACHINO, SICILY – July 10th 1943, marked the beginning of the Sicilian campaign, known as “Operation Husky.” Twenty-five thousand Canadian soldiers landed on the southern beaches of Pachino. Seventy years later, a group of Canadians arrived to Sicily to honour the heroic soldiers and to follow in their footsteps by retracing the path they walked.

Many Canadians and Italian civilians gathered on Bark West beach in Pachino, to watch the raising of the Canadian flag in honour of the soldiers and to plant the first of many fallen soldier markers. The ceremony marked the beginning of the 20 day march. Steve Gregory signaled the start of the march when he called out, “They marched, so we march.”

Pipers lead the marchers off the beach and into the neighboring town of Pachino. The townspeople applauded and cheered as the marches made their way to the town square.

Steve Gregory and the Bishop of Pachino unveiled a new monument in the center of the town square, honouring the Canadian soldiers that sacrificed their lives 70 years ago.

Canadians who still want to make their mark can sponsor a personalized soldier’s marker by visiting operationhusky2013.ca

After 70 years, it’s time their sacrifice was remembered.