Two forgotten wars for most Canadians: Korea--and Italy

Korea. Italy:

A small group of veterans is returning to Italy where they waged one of the longest, fiercest campaigns of the Second World War.

During a kick-off event Friday at Sunnybrook hospital, home to about 500 war veterans, Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson called the trip to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Italian campaign a “journey of honour and remembrance.”

“Together, our unique delegation will walk on some of the same streets where Canadians fell,” he said. “We will walk among the headstones belonging to the youth of another generation. And we will remember them by reading their names aloud; by running our fingers over letters carved in granite, by thinking of dreams unfulfilled, by remembering lives lost. And by remembering families torn apart by their sacrifice.”

The group of veterans, youth ambassadors and politicians will visit war cemeteries and monuments and take part in special ceremonies.

Thompson said many Canadians don’t realize the scope of Canada’s efforts in Sicily.

Donald Stewart, who served as a gunner in the war, said word made its way home that he had been killed. His father was surprised when he showed up on leave.

“He said, ‘You’re supposed to be dead,’” the 85-year-old told a group of high school students gathered at the hospital. “Then he gave me a hug.”

Almost 6,000 Canadians were killed in Italy — Canada’s greatest loss in any one country during the Second World War.

Those who survived endured oppressive heat, tough mountainous terrain, rampant diseases and bitter, hand-to-hand combat.

The landing at Sicily was the largest amphibious invasion yet [and bigger than Normandy, see my first comment here]. Three Canadians earned Victoria Crosses in Italy.

Nolan Hill, a 16-year-old Calgary student and youth delegate, is looking forward to meeting the veterans and hearing their stories.

“You can only learn so much from a text book and when you hear it from a person it’s much more informative and real,” he said.

More on the Italian campaign at the start of this post. Remember the "D-Day Dodgers" and spot that tune as done by Brits, I would think (nice bit of historical recapitulation too):