WWII veteran receives one of France's highest military honours
CBC News | Posted: December 10, 2014 4:01 PM | Last Updated: December 10, 2014
Emard Court of North Rustico awarded Legion of Honour
A Second World War veteran from North Rustico, P.E.I., received one of the highest military medals from the government of France Monday.
Emard Court, who served as a spotter on a minesweeper and fought at Omaha Beach on D-Day, has become a member of the French Legion of Honour.
The award was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to honour his best soldiers.
As a part of the 70th anniversary of D-Day this year, France is honouring all living soldiers who helped to liberate the country.
Court is described by many as a man of few words, and was customarily humble on Tuesday evening.
"Oh I feel happy, sure I do, yes."
Court's nephew, Ron Curtis, says his uncle never expected to be honoured.
"It's really great that he is recognized because he certainly didn't brag or ask for any credit. He said he forgot about 'all that stuff' when he got off the ship," said Curtis.
Vincent Hommeril, Consul General of France for the Atlantic Provinces, grew up in Normandy and says these ceremonies hold a special meaning for him for that reason.
"It's a moving moment because I see a living person who was there to liberate my country and I'm thinking, of course, of all my family members who lived through this war and who were helped by this man," said Hommeril.