D-Day vet and Winnipegger Jack Mitchell, 93, hasn't thought much about the historic day Canadian troops stormed the beach in Normandy until very recently.

He said most people have never asked him about his experiences, not even his children. It was a time and day he and his comrades didn't talk about either.

He said he would have liked to have attended the 70th anniversary ceremonies in France but has some health complications and decided it was better to stay home.

Mitchell became a lieutenant with the Winnipeg Rifles and led a group of about 30 men on D-Day.

He was wounded that day after a bullet hit his rifle. It ricocheted off his gun and punctured his hand. He ended up walking around with mud in the hole of that wound until he received medical treatment.

He said when he left Canada, he had no idea the danger he would be in, saying he and his troops just kept going that day and were lucky to survive.

What he remembers most now is the good friendships he made during the war.

He received two prestigious medals - one from King George VI and one from France.

A wreath-laying ceremony will be held on June 7, from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

The ceremony will be held at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park at the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Monument, Portage Avenue at Home Street, in Winnipeg.