Ellin speaks to the Don Mills B’nai Brith Lodge Sept. 11, 2019 about D-Day 75

Freshly returned from her recent trip to France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in June, author and journalist Ellin Bessner will tell us how the remaining veterans of that Greatest Generation commemorated this important WWII anniversary on the beaches of Normandy. From meeting the Queen and world leaders and politicians, to re-enacting the jumps by paratroopers who landed behind the lines at dawn on June 6th, 1944, the 2019 D-Day75 ceremonies were unforgettable. Bessner is the author of “Double Threat: Canadian Jews, the Military and WWII” which tells the story of who these brave Canadian Jewish fighters were, why they enlisted, and how they had to face antisemitism at home, in the barracks and on the battlefield. They served in order to stop Hitler, end the Holocaust, and rescue the survivors of the Jews of Europe. Hundreds didn’t come back, and many lie buried in Normandy under graves bearing the Star of David.  Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.