Sherbrooke, Quebec
Mr. Gilbert Boulanger is a Veteran of the Second World War who participated in the Normandy landings in 1944. Committed to promoting the remembrance of fallen soldiers, and in particular, those who gave their lives for the liberation of France, Mr. Boulanger has returned to Normandy a number of times to participate in commemorative events and to speak at elementary schools and high schools, and at the Juno Beach Centre. He has also participated in numerous newspaper, radio and television interviews. Mr. Boulanger has been recognized on various occasions for his role in encouraging remembrance among youth. In 2010, he received a certificate of recognition from the Member of Parliament for Kamouraska, signed by the Minister of Veterans Affairs. Also, after having corresponded regularly with students at an elementary school in Courseulles sur Mer as part of an educational project, the school, which had remained unnamed up to that point, was named "Gilbert Boulanger" in honour of Mr. Boulanger and of his fellow soldiers who participated in the liberation of France. Mr. Boulanger has also written and published a book entitled L'alouette affolée in which he shares his memories of the war, and in particular, those relating to the contributions of the French Canadian "Alouette" Squadron.