This year marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day in World War II, where thousands of Canadians took part in a siege on the French beach, code named Juno.
The students at Morrin School, along with their chaperones, traveled to Northern Italy and Ortona, the latter of which was a major battle site for Canadian soldiers in the war, with over 2,000 Canadians either wounded or killed.
But making the visit even more significant, was the fact two students had a relative who fought in the great battle.
Jared Kowalchuck and Amanda MacDermid’s great-great uncle were killed during the Battle of Ortona. He was laid to rest at the cemetery.
The two students, and Kathy MacDermid were the first family members to visit the grave of W.W. Grice. In his honour, they left a piece of home along with other mementos at the site.
