Tofield Legion celebrates 85th with “Jake’s Gift”

The Tofield Legion Branch No. 91 celebrated its 85th anniversary with a memorable play of a veteran who reluctantly returns to Juno Beach to help commemorate the D-Day battle – and find his brother’s grave among the rows upon rows of crosses in the graveyard.

The writer of this play, “Jake’s Gift,” is also the versatile actor playing all parts in the play, moving seamlessly from one portrayal to another of the three characters: Jake the veteran, Isabelle the little girl who tends the graves of veterans, and her Normandy grandmother who lost her husband in the French resistance during World War ll.

Julia Mackey said she was terrifically moved while attending that 60th anniversary on the beaches of Normandy, and wrote this play in tribute to all the veterans who played a part in setting that part of Europe free.

The play, directed by Dirk Van Stralen, is theatrical presentation at its…

For more see the May 6/15 Mercury