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Z Seog Clin -- Tuesday, June 21, 1994 -- 15 on D-Day veteran takes in 50th anniversary Jim Leslie Is back home In Nestleton after a week away for the 50th anniversary of D-Day celebrations in France. The D- Day veteran, is wearing his Normandy medal presented by the French government and holding a bottle of wine which commemorates this historic event. Jim says he won't open the wine until the 60th anniversary. See story. by Heather McCrae Jim Leslie hopes his grandchildren will never have to experience the horrors of war. The Nestleton man recently returned home form the D-Day celebrations in France. From June 4 to 9 he participated in all the official D-Day ceremonies and services ag a representative of his regiment, The Queen's Own Rifles, the oldest military organization in Canada. Unlike the weather which was rainy, overcast and cold, the reception the delegation received from the French people was incredibly warm. Countless children would ask for their autographs, "we were the celebrities." "Those people wouldn't have the freedom and life they have today without the bravery of the men who fought for their country from D-Day until May 8 the following year when the war ended," Mr Leslie told the Citizen. In every town and village they visited, it seemed the entire population lined both sides of the street, waving, clapping and cheering. Huge banners in small towns read "Thank You Canada - Welcome Our Liberators". "It's amazing," Mr Leslie said, "how the French children know so much about the battle of D- Day. It's a shame our children are taught so little about jt in * our schools." Every year on June FPort Perry AUTO SALES LTD. USED CARS & TRUCKS B® Trade-ins 6 the children in France visit the Canadian cemeteries and remember. Accompanying the entire ¥ entourage throughout the celebrations were Monsieur Francois Mitterand, French President; Ray Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada, and Prime Minister Jean Chretien. All the soldiers who had fought in the Normandy campaign were given the Normandy medal at Abbaye-aux-Dames. "The French went crazy at this reception," he said. "The mayor of the town kissed me on both cheeks." On D-Day, June 6, Mr. Leslie laid the wreath at the pillbox at Bernieres-sur-Mer and recited the Act of Remembrance, something he knows so well after reciting it many times at Remembrance Day Services and ther regimental occasions. While visiting one of the cemeteries where most of the Queen's Own Rifles soldiers are buried, Mr. Leslie said he recognized most of the names. After all, he had trained with them for four years and fought with them on the beaches of Normandy and thereafter. "At every service, at every cemetery, you thought about the comrades you had left behind on the beaches. It was a very moving, and overwhelming experience." Many vets he hadn't seen in 50 uF 3 Month or 5,000 km. Warranty Included on most vehicles. COMPLETE CAR CARE SERVICE B Interior Shampoo M Exterior Wax M Scotch Guarding 8 Hand Wash 1625 Scugog St., Port Perry 985-1916 (across from beer store) ANYTIME ilable M Leasing A years. Today, there are only 15 veterans alive from the original QOR regiment. ~ Mr Leslie brought home a souvenir bottle of red wine, bottled and labelled for the D- Day celebrations. The label reads "50 Anniversaire de Debarquement en Normandy, 6 Juin 1944." He and his wife, Shirley, plan to uncork that bottle ten years from now on the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Mr. Leslie recalled when his regiment landed on the beaches of Normandy that June 6, fifty years ago. The Atlantic Wall was then approximately 15 feet high strung with barbed wire. Today, there is a boardwalk alongside the wall that is now six feet high, no barbed wire andi is quite a tourist centre. Upon his arrival in Nestleton, a Welcome Hone sign, complete with balloons, was tied to mailbox, compliments of his neighbours John and Karen Waters. Mr. Leslie is a member of Legion Branch 419. Just bring enthusiasm If you enjoy living here, and if 'you jump at the chance to share your enthusiasm for the sights and history of Durham Region with others, and if you enjoy showing off your community to visitors and friends, there's a volunteer assignment with your name on it. Debbie Tzountzouris, president, Tourist Association of Durham Region, needs help from some enthusiastic volunteers who have time to spend meeting visitors and answering questions on the many places to go and things to see in Durham Region. The pleasure of the job would be in meeting people from around the world, all interested in hearing what'rmakes Durham such a great place t# visit. Visitors, from archeologists to zoologists, all asking for an opinion on the best things to do could be as stimulating as your own trip around the world, without all the hassles. Hours could be arranged to suit individual schedules. a car would be necessary to get to the visitor information centre, highway 401 westbound at Newtonville. For more information on this "how I spent my summer vacation" opportunity, call Debbie Tzountzouris at (905) 985-3884. o -/N J Grand Opening Ne ,Ulictoryy Christian Centrear New Kid on the Block! -