Reflections on Remembrance Day

Heroes Remember

Reflections on Remembrance Day

Transcript

I said from day one up until now that June the 6, 1944, should go down as one of the greatest days in the history of Canada. It was definitely the highlight of the 19th century, and I am extremely proud. I didn’t win no wars, I didn’t do nothing spectacular, but I’m extremely pleased, and I’m very grateful that I was part of the D-Day invasion. It was a great adventure. I am a life member of The Royal Canadian Legion. In fact, I have 55 years service in The Royal Canadian Legion, and I am a firm believer in remembering all these young personnel that gave up their lives so that we may live in, in peace and freedom. And this, November the 11th should always be remembered, should never be forgotten. And we put on a good service, and I am faithfully . . . and, in particular, I pray for all these poor people that didn’t come back, didn’t return. And I pray to and I think of the peacekeepers that are involved in today’s efforts far away from home, and everything. It’s a terrible situation, but these things got to be done. But Remembrance Day to me is a day to remember and always reflect back on the young men and women who gave their lives up so that we could live in peace and freedom.

Description

Mr. Gray reflects on his contribution on D-Day and remembers past and present service personnel.

Earl Gray

Mr. Gray was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on May 6, 1924. As a child, he lived in poverty, despite the fact that some of his family worked in the local steel mill. Although there was a large naval presence in Sydney early in the war, Mr. Gray enlisted in the army, only to be released as an under aged recruit. Six months later, he successfully enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. He first experienced life at sea aboard the HMCS St.Croix, a destroyer assigned to convoy duty. After four voyages, Mr. Gray joined the minesweeper HMCS Vegreville, whose responsibility it was to sweep mines between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. After joining the 31st Minesweeping Flotilla in Portsmouth, England, HMCS Vegreville took part in the sweep of the English Channel as part of the D-Day assault. After the war ended, Mr. Gray was married within a month of his return home. He still resides in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

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