Youth Remember D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Juno the Bear Story
This is Juno the Bear. He is a life-size, huggable polar bear! He is always ready
to entertain children of all ages, to give high-fives and hugs, and to cheer kids
through fun events. He goes to running races, winter festivals and more!
Juno is also the Canadian Army’s mascot, and he is named after D-Day and
Juno Beach in Normandy, France, in honour of the Canadians who fought
there during the Second World War.
Juno Beach is beautiful. Dogs play in the waves, and sunbathers spread their
towels on the sand. This part of France’s Normandy coast is popular with
people who are on a holiday.
But, 70 years ago, on June 6th, it was not like that at all for the Canadian
soldiers who were there. They were involved in a battle known as D-Day.
Canada and other countries arrived in Normandy with thousands of ships,
planes and parachutes to fight with the enemy country that had taken over
France. That country was being a bully, and it had been one for more than
four years. It needed to be stopped.
Canadian Armed Forces Troopers with Juno the Bear
Canadian Forces Image AS2011-0031-001
D-Day and the Battle of Normandy were important because many countries joined together to end the bullying. There was a battle in the water, in the sky and
on the beach. The Canadians bravely served. It was hard fighting in the dust and heat against the enemy, but, in the end, the Canadians accomplished what they
needed to do. They helped to stop the bullying country and bring peace to Europe. Peace is when there is no fighting.
A long time ago, kids could remember how bravely the Canadian soldiers fought because they knew people who had served there, and they heard their stories.
But, every year, there are fewer and fewer Veterans from the Second World War. It will not be long before there are none.
That’s why the Canadian Armed Forces have Juno the Bear as their mascot—to keep the story of Juno Beach alive for kids like you! Every year, on June 6, we
should remember Canada’s D-Day heroes who bravely fought on Juno Beach to end bullying and bring peace to Europe.
veterans.gc.ca