101-year-old Sask. D-Day veteran receives France's highest distinction
A Saskatchewan Second World War veteran is the most recent recipient of France’s highest order of distinction.
Allan White, 101, was honoured with the insignia of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour at a ceremony in Prince Albert Tuesday morning.
‘I am actually pretty proud of my medal,” White said.
The medal recognizes his service in the navy during D-Day. He was 22 years old when he helped sweep and cut out under water mines to prepare for the Normandy Landings.
“A person can't really explain what an invasion is like because it's just a big bustle of planes and ships and all that stuff going on,” he said.
In 2014, to mark the 70th commemoration of D-Day, the French government began the process of honouring Canadians who participated in operations that assisted with the liberation of France.
In the last decade, nearly 1,200 Canadians have received the medal.
France continues to work with the Canadian government to identify more veterans who qualify for the honour.
“It’s the most significant medal that the country of France has to offer in appreciation for his service,” said Carol Pedersen, command provincial president with Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan.
White has been a member of the Smeaton Legion, a community near Prince Albert, for 77 years.
His family said they’re very proud of him.
“Very, very proud. I've been married to him for 57 years, and he is a great, great man,” his wife Irene White said.
“I am so extremely proud of my grandfather today. This is such a wonderful award that he has received, and I'm just so thankful to him and all the other veterans, past and present, for all that they do for us,” his granddaughter Kim Cooper said.
White said while he’s overjoyed with the medal, he wants those he served with to be remembered.
“There’s lots of guys who didn’t get medals, so to be where I am now, I’m lucky.”
-With files from Allison Bamford
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Son charged with 1st-degree murder after father's death on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
A 26-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his father on the Sunshine Coast last year.
Loblaw using body-worn cameras at 2 Calgary stores as part of pilot project
Loblaw is launching a pilot program that will see employees at two Calgary locations don body-worn cameras in an effort to increase safety.
China is raising its retirement age, now among the youngest in the world's major economies
Starting next year, China will raise its retirement age for workers, which is now among the youngest in the world's major economies, in an effort to address its shrinking population and aging work force.
Trudeau says Ukraine can strike deep into Russia with NATO arms, Putin hints at war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, despite Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
'I couldn't form the words': 23-year-old Ont. woman highlights need for rural health care after stroke
The experience of 23-year-old Muskoka, Ont., resident Robyn Penniall, who recently had a stroke, comes as concerns are being raised about the future of health care in her community.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Regina
-
Drugs and guns found following trafficking investigation in Regina, 2 charged
Two people are facing charges after officers seized items valued about $900,000 following a drug trafficking investigation on Thursday.
-
'Without a burdening carbon tax': Sask. investing over $25M into 13 emissions reduction projects
The provincial government says it will be investing more than $25 million into 13 industry driven emissions reducing projects through a special fund.
-
Saskatchewan artist fundraising to help family whose son has genetic disease
A Regina based artist is using his platform to fundraise for the family of a young boy with a genetic disease.
Winnipeg
-
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
-
1 dead, 3 injured in Friday morning crash on Portage Avenue
One person has died and three people were injured following a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at a Portage Avenue intersection Friday morning.
-
Hormone replacement therapy for women may be coming to Manitoba
Premier Wab Kinew said during a Vancouver, B.C. election rally that his government is looking to B.C. healthcare which includes funding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women in the province.
Edmonton
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
-
Alberta dentist facing multiple sexual assault charges in incidents dating back to 2012
An Alberta dentist will appear in court later this month on sexual assault charges.
-
5 Oilers prospects to watch at annual B.C. rookie tournament
The fruit harvest in British Columbia's Okanagan is usually very much over, but hockey players on their journey to the professional ranks will further ripen there starting Friday night.
Calgary
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
-
'Not open': Alberta's government criticizes federal asylum claimant plan
Premier Danielle Smith says Alberta is not open to having additional asylum seekers settled in the province.
-
Driver and new truck making magic in Monster Jam
Calgary’s setting for “the greatest outdoor show on earth” is hosting “the greatest show on dirt."
Lethbridge
-
Coaldale man charged with attempted murder after Lethbridge break-and-enter
Lethbridge police say a 28-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder following a frightening attack on a woman inside her home this week.
-
Police operation near Vauxhall, Alta., ends: RCMP
A police operation in near Vauxhall, Alta. has ended.
-
1 suspect in custody after break-in and violent assault of Lethbridge woman
A man is in police custody with charges pending in relation to a break-in and violent assault of a woman earlier this week.
Toronto
-
Toronto crowd rallies to fight closure of supervised drug consumption sites
At least 100 people gathered outside the Kensington Market supervised consumption site in a rally to keep it open in the face of new provincial rules that would shut at least a dozen such sites down across Ontario.
-
Suspect arrested in fatal stabbing in Etobicoke; victim identified
Toronto police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing in south Etobicoke on Thursday morning.
-
Shooting in Etobicoke sends 1 to hospital: TPS
A man has been taken to hospital following a shooting in Etobicoke Friday afternoon.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING How Ottawa LRT service has changed in 5 years
On this fifth anniversary of LRT, CTVNewsOttawa.ca compares the system we were promised to the system we have.
-
Longtime Ottawa MPP Lisa MacLeod announces she won't seek re-election
Longtime Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod has announced she will not be seeking re-election in the next provincial election, bringing an end to a lengthy time at Queen's Park.
-
Somali community alarmed after Ottawa police officers wiretapped, watched
Members of Ottawa's Somali community came together Thursday to denounce the Ottawa police use of wiretaps and video surveillance on five of its own Black officers of Somali decent and their family members.
Montreal
-
Montreal man seeks living kidney donor as dialysis takes toll
A 25-year-old Montreal man is looking for a living kidney donor and has made a public appeal on social media. Until he finds one, Julian Zadrozny must undergo 10 hours of dialysis a day.
-
Montreal man dead after stabbing in Ottawa's ByWard Market
A man from Montreal is dead following a late night stabbing in Ottawa's ByWard Market.
-
Liberal leadership: MNA Frederic Beauchemin officially becomes fourth candidate
Liberal MNA Frederic Beauchemin made his candidacy for the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership official on Friday.
Vancouver
-
Coquitlam ice rink evacuated due to 'dangerously high' levels of carbon monoxide
A Coquitlam ice arena had to be evacuated Tuesday due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
-
'Such a rush': Vancouver makeup artist wins second Emmy award
A born-and-raised Vancouver resident is among the film and television artists from the FX drama Shogun who swept the Creative Emmy Awards.
-
Staff member hospitalized after assault at B.C. maximum security prison
A corrections officer at B.C.'s only maximum security federal prison was taken to hospital after an assault earlier this month.
Kelowna
-
Son charged with B.C. woman's murder: RCMP
More than a year after a missing Kamloops, B.C., woman’s body was found, her son has been arrested and charged with her murder, Mounties announced Friday.
-
Woman stabbed during daylight Kelowna home invasion: RCMP
A woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being stabbed during a home invasion in Kelowna, according to authorities.
-
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. woman reveals greatest life lesson after celebrating 100th birthday
“There has to be love in your life and forgiveness,” Hilda smiles. “I think the only way out of the mess in the world is to start loving each other.”
-
Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
-
Police investigating suspicious death in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties have launched a suspicious death investigation after a man was found dead Thursday in Nanaimo, B.C.
London
-
From the ashes: New vision emerging for a Bus Rapid Transit route to north London
More than five years after city council refused to fund a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route between Downtown London, Western University, and Masonville Place mall, a new concept is being discussed openly at city hall.
-
Police identify shooting suspect and need your help to find him
London police have identified and charged a suspect they say was involved in a shooting earlier this week.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO Downtown CUPE rally in support of Western workers turns tense following altercation
There were tense moments near the end of a rally supporting striking CUPE 2361 members from Western University.
Kitchener
-
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
-
Hog Heaven: Friday the 13th takes over Port Dover, Ont.
The streets of Port Dover roared to life on Friday for a tradition that has been going on for decades.
-
Blue-green algae found in local lakes and reservoirs
The hot summer weather has created the perfect conditions for blue-green algae in local lakes and reservoirs.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. beekeeper says she has lost almost 2M bees this season
CTV News Northern Ontario provides and update on the story of more than 1.5 million bees be lost earlier this summer.
-
Police seize sawed-off shotgun, ammo, northern Ont. teen charged
A northern Ontario teen has been charged with several weapon offences after police responded to a report of a prohibited weapon at a Kapuskasing residence.
-
Moosonee suspect charged with nine criminal weapons offences
Provincial police seized an arsenal and nearly 300 rounds of live ammunition from a home in on the James Bay Coast on Monday and charged a man with nine criminal weapons offences.
Atlantic
-
Missing N.S. woman believed dead; man charged with first-degree murder
Police in Nova Scotia now believe a woman reported missing earlier this month is dead, and a man has been charged in her disappearance.
-
N.S. premier to challenge federal plan to send thousands of asylum seekers to province
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is pushing against a federal government proposal that would more proportionately distribute the number of asylum seekers across Canada.
-
Alcohol, speed 'significant factors' in Fredericton crash that left 3 dead in May
The Fredericton Police Force says speed and alcohol were “significant factors” in a fatal collision that killed three people, including two teenagers, in May.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
