Local Military Museum uses modern technology to connect students to history

Rick Casson, Honorary Lieutenant Colonel for the 20th Independent Field Battery and former Lethbridge MP, Rick Casson, says the exhibit is a great addition to the museum.

“We have a display that was created by a gentleman in Lethbridge, Brent Devos, of our section or Canada’s section of Juno Beach that actually took place 75 years ago, in the battle on D-Day, and to physically have that here with pictures and new technology, virtual reality goggles, that will show you the whole action of that day.”

D-Day exhibit – LNN

“It’s an important day in the history of the world, it’s an important day to remember in the history of Canada for our military. Our military took a big role on this day, and continued to take big roles, as Europe was freed from the grips of the Germans. And very shortly after this, was the beginning of the end of the war but, it was a terrible battle, we lost over 500 of our great soldiers that day, and in the months that followed 5000 Canadians died here, so it’s important to stop and remember that.”

Casson reflected on the fact that time passes and with it, the details that go with the period of history.

“We have a veteran here, and we’re very, very fortunate to have Mr. Lewko here to represent the Secord World War veterans. There’s fewer and fewer of them, and younger and younger people, so this museum is open for everyone to come visit and to be able to look at it in many different ways. You can look and see it, you can feel it and also get into the virtual reality of actually being on the beach at that time.”

The museum was fortunate to get support from Valour Canada for the exhibit.

Peter Boyle, the President of Valour Canada, says the goal is to connect youth to their military history and heritage.

“In the modern technology available for kids to learn, we’ve moved into the virtual reality environment, and that allows us to engage youth in and immerse them in the history, as well as learn the story of the veterans. We have these headsets available in museums and schools across the country and partnering with the Lethbridge Military Museum is a great step in that direction.”

“In a perfect world, I believe every school child should go overseas to Vimy and Juno to learn about what Canadians did on the battlefields. But, obviously, that’s difficult and very expensive, so we try to replicate that environment, so when kids take off their headset, they’ve learned what it was like, they’ve learned what the veteran’s experienced and they’re able to understand why we go to war and why we don’t go to war”

“The objective is not to ‘game-a-fy’ any of the history,” says Boyle, “You’re listening to veterans tell their story, diary entries and different ways to engage might be art but you’re actually standing on the physical beach as it is today – so it’s not violent, it’s not gory, it’s about education and history.”

The virtual reality highlights the journey experienced by the Canadians between June 7, to July 12, 1944.

Brent Devos, crafted the model portion of the exhibit and reveals it was originally built as a game.

“But, I realized on the 75th anniversary of D-Day that it (the model) had more significance than simply for a little game. As I began to do research, it became more apparent to me that there was a lot of story to be told.”

Devos recounted what the model represented.”

“This piece of the beach is code named Man White at the time and it depicts Berniere-sur-mere, a little town that was assigned to the Queen’s Own Rifles, which was the infantry brigade and they were supported by the Fort Gary Horse, which was an armoured brigade that came up behind them.”

“Seeing it here makes me feel good,” said Devos, “it makes me feel like perhaps the work I put into it – a lot of hours that I put into it – helps the younger generation to visualize, to have something concrete to look at and get a sense of the importance of the occasion because so many men died – 7 out of 10 of the Queen’s Own Rifles died in that first wave – many of them didn’t even make it to the beach. It was horrible, really hellish. The board here is quite peaceful but, in fact, at the time it would have been constant mortar shells landing, machine gun fire, smoke, screaming – it would have been a horrible place to be.”

The museum’s main permanent feature, “The Mural of Remembrance”, which is a very popular interactive display for visitors, is also available on the museum website. The D-Day and Battle of Normandy exhibit runs until December 11, 2019.

The museum, at 337 Stubb Ross Road at the Lethbridge airport, is open Wednesdays from noon to 4:00-pm but, arrangements can be made for group viewings by calling 403-929-4265. Make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to experience this special piece of our history.

Military Museum – LNN

by Dori Modney and Videographer Brandyn Montgomery

Local Military Museum uses modern technology to connect students to history

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