The statement and information below were released by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress on June 6.
Today, we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in German-occupied France. Thus began the liberation of Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Seventy-five years ago, among the Allied landing force of nearly 150,000 soldiers, over 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach. 110 ships and 10,000 sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy and 15 fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force contributed to Operation Overlord.
Addressing the nation on the morning of the D-Day landings, Prime Minister Mackenzie King said, “Let the hearts of all in Canada today be filled with silent prayer for the success of our own and Allied forces and for the early liberation of the people of Europe.”
Canadian forces fought with valor and courage taking Juno Beach and helping establish the Allied bridgehead at Normandy. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties on D-Day; 359 Canadians were killed.
“Today, as we mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we pay tribute to the Canadian soldiers who defended freedom during the second world war,” stated Captain (Ret’d) Andre Sochaniwsky CD, president of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada. “Many thousands did not return home – their names are written upon gravestones and monuments across Europe. They gave their lives for the liberty of future generations. Today we honor their memory and reaffirm our eternal gratitude for their sacrifice and their bravery.”
Lest We Forget.
Вічная Пам’ять.
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Ukrainian Canadians killed during D-Day operations
Compiled for UCC by Ron Sorobey and Myron Momryk.
Buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, about 1 kilometer east of the village of Reviers, on the Creully-Tailleville-Ouistreham road (D.35). Reviers is a village and commune in the Department of the Calvados. It is located 15 kilometers northwest of Caen and 18 kilometers east of Bayeux and 3.5 kilometers south of Courseulles, a village on the sea coast. The village of Beny-sur-Mer is some 2 kilometers southeast of the cemetery.
Feschuk, William: Trooper, 25 Squadron, 6th Armored Regiment, 1st Hussars, R.C.A.C. Son of Michael and Mary Feschuk of Vita, Manitoba. Age 26.
Franko, Harry: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of William and Stella Franko of Selkirk, Manitoba. Age 19.
Prokopchuk, Steve: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C Son of Tony and Pauline Prokopchuk of Sandy Lake, Manitoba. Brother of Donald, Charles, Teenie, Mary, Irene and Anne. Husband of Mary (nee Waldron) Prokopchuk of Manchester, England. Age 28.
Makichuk, Michael John: Corporal, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Saffron Sam Makichuk of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Husband of Elizabeth Amelia Makichuk of Debert, Nova Scotia. Age 23.
Leskiw, John: Rifleman, 1st Battalion Regina Rifles.
Miskow, Wesley William: Sergeant, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Son of Philip and Mary Miskow of Shoal Lake, Manitoba. Age 23.
Pockiluk, Henry Andrew: Corporal, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Nicholas and Julia Pockiluk of London, Ontario. Age 27.
Skwarchuk, Metro: Trooper, Fort Garry Horse, R.C.A.C., Son of John and Sophie Skwarchuk of Devil Lake, Saskatchewan. His brother John served with the Fort Garry Horse Regiment and died on July 4, 1944. John is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Age 24.
Solodiuk, Michael: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C,
Spilchak, George: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Anthony and Teennie Spilchak of Pine Ridge, Manitoba. Age 22
Warun, William A.: Gunner, 14 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Son of Alex and Annie Warun of Geraldton, Ontario. Age 22
Wintoniw, Mikie: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C, Son of Nykola and Nellie Wintoniw of Zhoda, Manitoba. Age 26.
Wladyka, Edward: Rifleman, Regina Rifle Regiment, R.C.I.C. Son of William and Frances Wladyka, husband of Louise M. Wladyka, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Age 30.
Woronchuk, Eugene: Rifleman, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, R.C.I.C. Son of Michael and Pauline Woronchuk of Brandon, Manitoba. Age 28.