45 Norwegian veterans, with an average age of 87 years had also taken the trip over the Atlantic ocean to be present at the opening of the Memorial Building in Muskoka. The veterans were honoured by the prime minister, in his speech Mr. Stoltenberg said: “Before us are some of the great men of Little Norway, members of a generation that passed history’s test. They grew up during the great depression. They used their youth to fight and win a war, and they built peace and prosperity in their mature years. In your senior years, it’s therefore fitting that my generation pays tribute to those who were tested and who risked so much, and to whom we are indebted”.
In his speech the prime minister also paid tribute to the Commander of Little Norway, Ole Reistad, who was like a father figure to many of the soldiers that trained there. The son and daughter of Ole Reistad, Kjell Arne and Ragnhild, were present at the opening.
If you click on this link you'll find the entire speech given by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg at the opening.
Historical Background
During World War II, the Muskoka Airport, referred to as "Little Norway", was used as a training facility by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Throughout the Second World War (1940-45), hundreds of Norwegians travelled to Canada to train as pilots and aircrew before returning to the battlefields of Europe. The National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has recognized "Little Norway" in Muskoka as a National Historic Event. The District Municipality of Muskoka has worked closely with Norwegian authorities, various Canadian autorities and the Royal Canadian Legion to design and construct a memorial building at the Muskoka Airport. The purpose of the memorial building is twofold; to recognize the historical significance of the Royal Norwegian Air Force training program in Muskoka during World War II and to establish a new tourism attraction at the airport.
The purpose of the Norwegian-Canadian Memorial is to commemorate the lives and sacrifices of the airmen and women of "Little Norway" ensuring that their legacy will not be forgotten and to provide understanding and appreciation of the long-standing and continuing connections between Norway and Canada.
Greystone Project Management Inc. of Huntsville was awarded the contract for design and construction of the 3,000 square foot facility connected to the Air Terminal Building at the Muskoka Airport.
Industry Canada through Fed Nor and Norwegian authorities have funded the project. The District Municipatlity of Muskoka donated the land and funded the upgrading of the Air Terminal Building.
The Memorial building will be officially opened and dedicated to the memory of the brave pilots and aircrew of the Norwegian Air Force and the contributions made by Canada to assist Norway during the Second World War.
His Majesty, King Harald V and Her Majesty, Queen Sonja of the Kingdom of Norway officially visited the District of Muskoka on May 08th, 2002, during their State Visit to Canada. Arriving at the District Airport within the Town of Gravenhurst, His Majesty commemorated the liberation of Norway that occurred on this date in 1945 from the Nazis.
During WW II, members of the Royal Norwegian Air Force escaped and made their way to freedom, eventually coming to Canada to train and thus returned to fight the Axis Forces in Norway. In 1942, Norway obtained woodlands and an airfield within Muskoka to construct larger barracks and to improve upon the facilities that they had utilized on Toronto Islands initially. This instructional camp at Gravenhurst opened on May 04th, 1942 and trained over 3,000 Norwegian Air Force personnel until the end of World War II. Various areas within Muskoka were utilized for both training and recreation.
This memorial building will host the many artefacts, paintings, articles, books and memorabilia pertaining to the Second World War era of our Muskoka heritage. It also ensures that future generations never forget the contributions made for freedom by the Norwegians who trained and were stationed at “Little Norway”.