Piece of Regina military history makes its way to France
A plane bound for Juno Beach in France took off from the Prairies on Friday with a piece of military history.
An eight foot statue made of Bronze, depicting a WWII Canadian Soldier was created to commemorate the Royal Regina Rifles and their contributions made on June 6, 1944.
When the monument lands, it will be erected in Normandy, just in time for official ceremonies planned for the 80th anniversary of the Juno Beach landing.
Much work went into the statue for it to be as historically detailed as possible, creating a powerful representation of the soldiers of the time.
“It’s very accurate down to the detailing of the collars and the helmet,” explained Kelsey Lonie, military historian with the Regina Royal Rifles Trust Committee. “We took a helmet to the sculptor so that we could get just perfect. The detailing on his face shows determination as he’s pushing forward.”
In early April, the statue was unveiled for the first time at the Saskatchewan War Memorial in Wascana Park in Regina. It was a commemoration years in the making.
“To be able to be apart of something and leave a true legacy in their honour so that the Regina Rifles are remembered for what they did, not just in France but for the people of Regina and Saskatchewan,” retired Royal Regina Rifles Captain Rob Knibbs said.
Don Begg, the statue’s sculptor, said it was one project he wanted to get right.
“When you make something in bronze, it’s going to last for thousands of years after we’re long gone, so you always try to do your best because you won’t be around to make excuses,” he said.
A smaller version of the statue made its way to Peepeekisis Cree Nation in April. Over 50 of its members joined the Regina Rifles, including Allan Bird.
“Some of the words, talking about my dad and the veterans and our community, one of the speakers, it hit home. It really shook me up because I’m so proud of my dad and our veterans,” he said.
For those in Saskatchewan, it’s hoped the statue will help the generations to come remember the contributions made by Saskatchewan soldiers.
“I just hope that the legacy continues, that the statue promotes further recognition of what Saskatchewan men did in the Second World War,” Lonie said.
The statue still has thousands of kilometres to go before making it to its destination where it will be eventually unveiled on June 6, the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
- With files from Angela Stewart
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of a 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Luciano Benetton says he's stepping down as chairman of family-run brand as losses top US$100 million
Luciano Benetton, a co-founder of the apparel brand, announced he was stepping down as chairman in an interview published on Saturday with Milan daily Corriere della Sera. He blamed current management for losses of 100 million euros (US$108.5 million) that he discovered last year.
1 dead, 3 in hospital after flying wheel crashes into bus windshield on QEW
A man is dead, and three others are in hospital after a flying wheel crashed into a coach bus on the QEW in St. Catharines.
NASA launches tiny CubeSat to set its sights on Earth
NASA has launched the first of two research satellites to measure how much heat is lost to space from the Arctic and Antarctica.
Pro-independence leader calls on protesters in New Caledonia to 'maintain resistance' against France
The leader of a pro-independence party in New Caledonia on Saturday called on supporters to "remain mobilized" across the French Pacific archipelago and "maintain resistance" against the Paris government's efforts to impose electoral reforms that the Indigenous Kanak people fear would further marginalize them.