A veteran from Nova Scotia's Colchester County just might be Canada's newest knight.
Sylvester ‘Bus’ McCallum fought overseas during the Second World War. The 89-year-old was in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, storming Juno Beach with rest of the Canadian troops.
There were massive casualties, but the Allies prevailed and McCallum survived.
“I knew all those fellows, I took my training with them,” he says.
Last month, McCallum and his wife Doris were thrilled to receive a letter from the French ambassador to Canada.
In recent years, France has awarded medals to Canadian veterans in recognition of their contribution to the liberation of France during the Second World War.
McCallum was named a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
“A friend of ours had received the medal and he was pushing for all his might for Bus to be recognized as well, because he was fighting at the same time as Bus,” says Doris McCallum. “He calls he and Bus twins because they did so many things that were alike.”
The award is similar to the Order of Canada with roots that go back to Napoleon in 1802.
It has taken 70 years to reach McCallum, but he and his family are grateful for the special recognition.
“I think he is well deserved. I think he, he's a man that doesn't talk or brag about what he has done,” says Doris.
“Well, I think it's a pretty nice thing,” says McCallum.
He says he's looking forward to wearing the new medal with pride at Remembrance Day services at his church in November and at the local cenotaph in Truro, N.S.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
