V-E Day an important occasion for us to remember

The annual Victory in Europe (V-E) Daycommemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc took place on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 2 pm at Veterans Park.  The Master of Ceremony was Frank Levine, a veteran of the Second World War and local Legion president. The event co-chairpersons were councillors Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc and the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion organize the V-E Day event, which commemorates the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany.

Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. 

What is always so remarkable about this event is the presence of so many veterans who are still with us today, most of whom reside in Côte Saint-Luc. The likes of former Mayor Bernard Lang, Jack Budovitch (very bottom right), Bill Taylor, George Nashen, Willie Glazer (below with me), Michael Kutz and others. They were all outfitted in their military attire.Over the last few years, folks like Manny Gottlieb, Bob Feldstein, Kek Rosenblat, Carl Garber and Joseph Blumer have left us. I refer to them specifically for during my years on council they were among the individuals who fought so hard for Veterans Park to become a reality.

This was a dignified ceremony that lasts less than an hour. Weather conditions could not have been nicer. Among those laying wreaths was CSL Mayor Anthony Housefather, Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, Howard Liebman (representing Liberal MP Irwin Cotler), Pointe Claire Mayor Bill McMurchie and a number of diplomatic representatives. This included CSL resident Joel Lion, the fabulous Consul General of Israel.

Many of us lamented about the fact there were few very young people in the audience, since they are learning about the World Wars in history class. This would have been a class of true authentic learning. Councillor Steven Erdelyi did bring his adorable little girl Bailey (far bottom left), who was very well behaved.

"The legacy of a veteran is we fought so you may know peace," Frank Levine declared. "I urge young people to do your best so we can move away from armed conflict."