Marking an end of WW11.
Polish Consul General Krzysztof Grzelczyk and Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 and Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, lay wreaths at a monument at Vimy Ridge Parkette, at 2546 Lake Shore Blvd. W., to mark Victory in Europe (VE Day).
The joyful day celebrates the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War 11 of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender of its armed forces on May 8, 1945, which marks the 75th anniversary of our freedom.
More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in WW11 with 55,000 being wounded and more than 45,000 paying the ultimate price. Canadian soldiers participated with the Allied Forces in all of the major European theatres.
Jubilant Canadians joined people in the streets in an outpouring of emotion at the end of the bloody war. Thousands of Toronto residents danced in the streets as three Mosquito aircraft dropped tickertape overhead.
Most Canadian cities and towns held religious services of thanksgiving. Frustrations built up after years of wartime controls and rationing led to riots and looting in some places.
Grzelczyk says Canadian and Polish forces fought side-by-side among the Allies to defeat the Nazis.
“There is a long history between Canada and Poland,” he says. “This wreath is on behalf of the Polish government.”
Korwin-Kuczynski says; “this is a very important day since it celebrates an end to WW11.”
“Many vets saw service there and we appreciate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, started the war in Europe, and the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany two days later.
Countries which made up the Allies included: U.S., Britain, France, USSR, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa and Yugoslavia.