Other than signal lights directing incoming vehicles, there was no use of lights.

"The nights over there seemed to be a lot darker than anywhere else," he said. "At least to me."

It was during one of those dark nights when Newell, who served with the Royal Canadian Navy, was on a transport ship as it was being shelled. One shell hit close enough to throw him off balance and he fell through a hole in the grate-like ramp used to unload tanks.

He couldn't get out by himself, and had to be pulled out before being run over by the tanks operating in the dark.

There is more to tell about his service in the war and the operation in Normandy, his sole combat role.

And today Newell is happy to talk about it, especially with students.

The Dominion Institute, which with the Province of Ontario held a Veteran Appreciation Day in the city Tuesday, would like to see more veterans like Newell come forward. Jeremy Diamond, director of programs for the institute and lead speaker for the ceremony at the cenotaph, said educators are eager to hear from those who served in past conflicts.

"With the numbers dwindling every year, the urgency among our teachers is at an all-time high," he said.

The ceremony, one of seven held across the province over the summer, was attended by veterans, dignitaries, as well as a few members of the general public, some of whom brought their children.

St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra commended the youth for attending.

He said their presence honours those who served the country, both in past wars and in today's conflicts, such as the mission in Afghanistan. Their service built the Canada we have today, he said.

"The choices and freedoms that we have today are entirely due to the men and women we have here today and the thousands who have died fighting the enemies of freedom," he said.

MPP Jim Bradley said we can never show enough appreciation.

"Veterans Appreciation Day is simply one gesture we in our society can engage in to say, 'Thank you,' " he said.

Newell praised the efforts of the institute, particularly The Memory Project, which seeks to record veterans stories.

"Memories fade fast and soon the veterans of World War Two will be gone," he said. "You have to base your democracy on history and what it took to get here."