The 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was marked Sunday with a commemorative ceremony at the Yellowknife Cenotaph.
The event honoured the 23 Canadian lives lost defending the British from German airstrikes in World War II.
On the importance of remembering the battle, Squadron 440 Lt.-Col. Devlon Paquette says, SA国际影视传媒渋f you forget history, youSA国际影视传媒檒l repeat it. These are the young people who fought for democracy, we canSA国际影视传媒檛 forget the cost.SA国际影视传媒�
Natalie Pressman/NNSL photos
The last surviving Canadian veteran of the battle is 102-year-old Ralph Wild.
Wild, who lives in Winnipeg, was part of the ground crew during the battle.
Robert Selman, Squadron 440 chief warrant officer, says, SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the younger generation (thatSA国际影视传媒檚) not going to know anyone who fought in that war.SA国际影视传媒�
Remembering Wild and his cohort is what brings meaning to these commemorative ceremonies, Selman says.
Ceremony attendees heard that the average age of Canadian soldiers in the battle was 22-years-old and that the average lifespan after entering the theatre of war was just four weeks.
The , Joint Task Force North, and 440 Squadron each laid a wreath by the Vincent Massey Memorial to honour the fallen soldiers.
