Canadian WWII Commemoration

[OpHusky2013]

For those who might be interested, the Sicilian Campaign is being commemorated next summer by a group of Canadians who are hoping to raise awareness about this virtually lost piece of Canadian history.

The beaches of Sicily were the first European beaches to be taken by the Allies. The Canadians made a remarkable contribution yet have been largely overlooked by history.

You can visit the organizers' website here: www.operationhusky2013.ca

Those who wish to support this initiative can made a contribution here:
http://www.indiegogo.com/operationhusky2013

 

[exspy]

First let me say that I truly wish the best for you, whoever you are, and the others who wish to commemorate the Landings in Sicily.  They are still celebrated by my Regiment as Pachino Day every July 10.  Spaghetti dinner, chianti, the whole shootin' match.

What I have to take umbrage with is the continual use of terms like 'the forgotten story' or 'the unknown story' (or in your case 'the lost history piece of Canadian history' and 'Canadians made a remarkable contribution yet have been largely overlooked by history') and such when trying to generate interest in a subject.  It's only an unknown subject for those persons who wish to not know about something.  It is well known by those who do wish to know.  Don't want to know about Second World War history?  Than it's an unknown subject.  If you are interested in the Second World War, and Canada's participation in it, than the Sicily landings are well known.

Seeing as this is a Canadian military forum and in particular the Military History page, I would think that possibly 99% of the readership is not only aware of the Canadian role in the Sicily landings, but strongly conversant in them.

I just think that popular history can, and should, be presented without having to talk down to the audience like the authors have the keys to the kingdom which the potential audience does not.

Just my 2 pfennings.

Cheers,
Dan.

 

[OpHusky2013]

Thanks for the well wishes, Dan. I'm sure you're quite right about the readership on this forum being very familiar with Canada's role in Sicily. Indeed it is not the readership here that we seek to enlighten, but rather to draw support from a group of people who are interested and might care enough to act in support of  bringing Operation Husky into the light of the Canadian consciousness.

It remains an unfortunate fact that the average Canadian does not have even the most vague idea as to what took place in Sicily in 1943. I can attest to this since I spend a good deal of time introducing this idea to Canadians, some of whom do have an interest in our military history, but are not aware that there ever was a Sicilian campaign. Perhaps, as you say, they don't want to know. Well we want them to know anyway simply because we believe that these soldiers deserve this recognition. I'm certain that on this point we can agree.