The sun was just coming up over the Normandy coast at about 5 a.m. on June 6, 1944 — D-Day.
The military planners had given Canada a major role on D-Day: to take one of the five designated beaches where Allied forces were to land to begin the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.
The Americans had Utah and Omaha beaches in the west, then came the British at Gold, then the Canadians at Juno Beach and finally the British at Sword on the east.
About 155,000 soldiers, 5,000 ships and landing craft, 50,000 vehicles and 11,000 planes were massed for the greatest seaborne invasion in history. The greatest seaborne invasion in history was aimed at 80 kilometres of mostly flat, sandy beach along the Normandy coast, west of the Seine River, east of the jutting Cotentin Peninsula. Canada’s objective was right in the middle.
For Canada, 14,000 soldiers were to land on the beaches; another 450 were to drop behind enemy lines by parachute or glider. The Royal Canadian Navy supplied ships and about 10,000 sailors. Lancaster bombers and Spitfire fighters from the Royal Canadian Air Force supported the invasion. The units were from across the country; from east to west, from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, to the Canadian Scottish from Victoria.
The Canadians who landed on Juno Beach were part of Britain’s Second Army, under the command of British Lt. General Miles Dempsey, who had served in North Africa and Italy with the overall British commander, Bernard Montgomery. The Canadian assault forces were the Third Canadian Infantry Division, commanded by Major General R. F. Keller and the Second Canadian Armoured Brigade, with Brigadier R.A. Wyman in charge.
The bombardment of the beaches began at 6 a.m. Within an hour the lead landing craft were away from the ships. Two hours later, the German defences at Juno Beach had been shattered and Canada had established the beachhead. That day 359 Canadians were killed in action on the beaches of Normandy. This year, on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, the Juno Beach Centre commemorates their sacrifice by installing 359 Tribute Markers – one for every Canadian soldier killed in action on D-Day – on Juno Beach.
In honour of all the soldiers who fought for our freedom, this piece is called “Lest We Forget”. The character’s face is based on Cpl. Clement Gosselin, WWII veteran who served as a wireless operator at Juno Beach. Now 91, he is one of a handful of living WWII vets. His portrait is featured on the cover of the June 2014 Reader’s Digest. When I picked up the publication I was struck by the strength and determination on his face and knew I had to try and capture his image. Here you see the process of how I sculpted his portrait.
http://www.facebook.com/saracinocollection www.saracinocollection.com
For more on the Battle of Normandy visit these links
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/d-day-the-allied-invasion-of-normandy-1.775929
http://www.junobeach.org
MariaSaracino's Blog 
The eyes on this soldier are priceless; as usual a wonderful job slk
Wow!
Good day Maria,
I just stumbled upon your blog, in my google search to compile the press coverage that the media had done of Clément Gosselin, featured in your post above. Your figurine is interesting – you are very talented!
This dashing 91 years young man, was no other than my beloved father. I say “was” because he passed away last December 13, at age 92.
Just 3 weeks prior to his sudden death, he was knighted by the French Ambassador in Canada, Mr. Zeller who pinned on him The Medal of Honor – which is the highest decoration anyone could ever receive from the French Republic.
2014 has been a very eventful year for my father. There was of course the cover for Reader’s Digest, shortly after tant, the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the Normandy battles, then more family events this last Summer and finally the Legion of Honor… all manner of recognition which took a tole and in the end, his heart failed to follow.
I am honored that you chose him, to represent the 359 (not so lucky) men, who didn’t make it. But I’d like more information on the reasons that made you decide to create this figurine. And since you seem interested with this topic, I’d be pleased to provide with further information if you so wish.
Blessings,