hockeyfan1
New member
Today marks the 75th Anniversary of what became known as ?The Italian Campaign?. For us Italio-Canadians it is a day of reflection and for the Italian community in Toronto & across the country, it is also a day of extreme gratitude.
As WWII came to an end, church bells tolled signaling the event. A country liberated from the chains of brutality, owing much to another country, still foreign, but strong and determined. That country was our dear and beloved Canada...
....to this day, the sacrifices of those who not only brought freedom and democracy to (Western) Europe, but defended our own as well. Never to be forgotten. Always remembered.
Thank you. Grazie.
And to all of the brave Canadian Men and Women who continue to serve, may your inner strength shine and your fortitude in duty be ever resilient.
Canada thanks you.
As one born in Toronto of Italian descent, I heard and have been told countless stories of war by both my parents as well as relatives. Some harrowing, some inspiring, and some just downright strange. Yes, even the enemy did show a trace of humanity. Like the time when my maternal grandmother (who died the year before I was born) faced two German soldiers. A pregnant woman whose children were hiding under the table in fear, who bravely walked outside her door, pleading and begging the two Germans to please let the captured people go. The soldiers who spoke in halting Italian, were utterly puzzled at seeing this woman come toward them, speaking ?Nein, signora, nein!? Neither of the two attempted to shoot, thank God for that. Of course, the church bells soon tolled and the war was over! Grown men and women cried tears of sheer relief.
On and on the tales go.....
Not just in Sicily, (I am not Sicilian), but all over Italy. The fascist Mussolini also defeated and done away with by his own people (you know what that means).
Yes, Mussolini started Cinecitt?, the Italian movie industry, but perhaps that?s all the credit this clown gets. Many older Italians had to endure life under fascist rule. Not easy to do, but what other choice was there?
The Italians have honoured the Canadian sacrifice in Ortona (Sicily) and Italy acknowledges Canada?s role in the war...
...just like we all know Canada?s participation in both WWs was a coming of age that showcased Canada?s prime importance in a worldwide event, as tragic as war was, triumph reigned with dramatic results, still felt to this day.
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/historical-sheets/pish