Sarnia Pipe Band members take part in virtual parade for the 76th anniversary of D-Day. May 2020. (Screenshot of a video by the pipe band) Sarnia Pipe Band members take part in virtual parade for the 76th anniversary of D-Day. May 2020. (Screenshot of a video by the pipe band)
Sarnia

Sarnia Pipe Band participates in virtual 76th D-Day commemoration

The Sarnia Legion commemorated the 76th anniversary of D-Day virtually on Saturday, with help from the Sarnia Pipe Band.

Pipe Major Tom Rankin said they were invited to participate in the annual D-Day service by Col. Alan Finney, the commanding officer of the First Hussars, which is comprised of two squadrons from Sarnia and London.

Rankin said his friend Robert Walicki, a teacher at St. Patrick's High School in Sarnia, was able to put a composite video together of about 20 pipe band members for Saturday's service.

"So we got that done and the final product is simply an amazing presentation -- we're so impressed with what Robert was able to do for us," said Rankin. "We played two tunes -- the First Hussars landing in Normandy, that was actually written last year by a local lad, Jacob Dicker, and Bonnie Dundee, which is the regimental march past."

Rankin said former pipe sergeant and First Hussars member, Terry Mills, will introduce Bonnie Dundee.

Rankin said they typically march alongside the First Hussars through the downtown streets of London to Victoria Park on D-Day, but those plans changed due to COVID-19.

He adds the Sarnia Pipe Band, also called the First Hussars Pipe Band, is proud to be associated with the First Hussars and that they march with them for their official ceremonies.

https://www.facebook.com/robert.a.walicki/videos/pcb.10156832125581213/10156831781006213/?type=3&theater

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