Return to Normandy (June 28-July 2nd)

The small town of Courseulles-sur-Mer is a very special place to me, not only because it is part of the beach where the Canadians landed on D-day, but because I met a lot of wonderful people there during the nine months I lived and worked there in 2003. When I first arrived there in the Juno Beach Centre was only a construction site and when I worked there it was a little like my baby. It was really nice to see how much it has now grown four years later. It is still a magical place for Canadians as it is both rich in history and memory. I felt very special being able to witness one of its many stories while I was there.

Not long after the museum opened a woman brought in a small, cherished bracelet to the Centre to donate it to the exhibit. It had been given to her as a young girl during the landing by a Canadian soldier and she thought it would then be best in the museum. It had the name Chepesiuk on it and she asked if there was any way of learning more about what had happened to the man. Through the dedicated work of the director a trace of the family was found and it was learned that the Captain had since passed away. However his nephew decided to plan a trip to the Centre and to meet the woman who had been given the bracelet. I recognized the woman when I arrived and was delighted to see the reunion.

I was in Courseulles to attend my friends' Carla and Alexis' wedding. It was very beautiful ceremony followed by a lovely reception. The tireless couple were wonderful hosts and we even managed to sneak in the song ' The Saskatchewan River Pirates' amidst the french ' rock' selection.

On Sunday it was Canada day and after a morning swim with my good friends Louise and Sam I went to the Centre to help out with the childrens activities. There was face painting, colouring, story telling and even cake. After the kids left about a dozen people from the town stopped by the Centre to see me and I left feeling like Léo Gariépy.