Heartfelt tributes, plus dire warnings

‘Democracy is still under threat today,’ Trudeau, French PM tell crowd at Juno Beach

- SARAH RITCHIE

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with veterans at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at Juno Beach in France on Thursday. There were 13 Canadian veterans there — the oldest at 104 years old — who survived the Allied attack on the same beach eight decades ago.

The beaches of Normandy were bathed in sunlight on Thursday as a day of ceremonies unfolded to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his French counterpart Gabriel Attal and Prince William were among dignitaries visiting Juno Beach, where flags bearing the Maple Leaf fluttered in a gentle breeze on Thursday morning.

In the front row of a crowd of thousands were 13 Canadian veterans in military uniform, the oldest of them 104 years old, who survived the war effort on the same beach so many decades ago.

“There are no words to describe the immensity of the debt we owe you,” Trudeau told them as he delivered an address noting the remarkably important role Canada was given in the Allied effort.

Behind him, the waters of the English Channel were calm and a navy ship could be seen offshore. A sand dune was covered in wild roses and other flowers and grasses.

Against that tranquil backdrop, Trudeau delivered a warning.

“Our way of life didn’t happen by accident, and it won’t continue without effort,” he said.