It's almost time for Canadians to recognize the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The special day will be held on Thursday in Strathmore as the legion is planning a quick ceremony at the cenotaph in front of the building at 11 a.m.

According to Donovan Arnaud, the president of the Strathmore Legion, it's important to make sure veterans are honoured.

"It's an ongoing process of reminding people how our country became our country and all of the folks who built it."

Arnaud says the last known World War II veteran in Strathmore passed away a few months ago.

"And we celebrated his life with his family and put him to rest."

The Battle of Normandy was one of the best-known chapters of WWII and Canadian service members would play an important role in the campaign.

According to Arnaud, more than 450 members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion jumped inland on June 6 and were the first of the Canadian soldiers to take on the enemy on D-Day.

A few hours later, around 14,000 Canadian troops from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and the 2nd Armoured Brigade would come ashore at Juno Beach.

The federal government says over 350 Canadians were killed on D-Day alone, and a total of more than 5,000 men would die during the fighting in Normandy.