Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN - On Wednesday evening, March 20th, the Lucan Library welcomed local residents for a moving and educational presentation on battlefields in Normandy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, hosted by Bruce Jackson and Jackie Dix. The couple recently returned from a commemorative tour marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. The trip, led by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment of St. Catharines, drew a group of about 80 Canadian participants, many of whom had personal family ties to soldiers who served in World War II.
Bruce and Jackie, both deeply impacted by the journey, took the initiative to bring their experience home by sharing it with their community through slides, stories, and personal reflections. “It was very powerful,” Bruce said. “Many of us had fathers or uncles who fought in the war. There was a lot of emotion — a lot of crying. It was more than just a trip; it was personal.”
The 14-day tour began in Paris and spanned key battle sites across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It was carefully planned to follow in the footsteps of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment’s involvement in World War II. Jackie explained, “Rather than just attend the festivities, the organizers created a trip to follow the path of the regiment through the Second World War.”
The pair visited numerous iconic and solemn locations: Juno Beach, Pegasus Bridge, the Normandy American Cemetery, and several D-Day landing sites. The tour concluded with the liberation anniversary events in Bergen-op-Zoom, where Canadian flags flew proudly in tribute to the soldiers who helped free the Netherlands.
“There’s something sacred about walking the same ground they did,” said Jackie. “Standing at Juno Beach, where 14,000 Canadians landed on D-Day, it really hits you. The Queen’s Own Rifles achieved their objectives that day — they were the only Allied unit to do so.”
One emotional highlight was a visit to Canada House — the first house liberated by Canadian soldiers on D-Day — which still flies the Canadian flag and serves as a living tribute to the soldiers. Another unforgettable story shared that evening was about a paratrooper who landed off course at Saint-Mère-Église and became entangled on a church steeple. “He hung there for hours, wounded and pretending to be dead,” Jackie recalled. “He survived and lived to be 52. That kind of story stays with you.”
The Lucan Library event was not only an evening of remembrance, but also one of reflection and education. Events like this help ensure that stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience are passed down to future generations.
