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Private Juno Is The Canadian Army’s New Mascot

Juno Polar Bear

To celebrate International Polar Bear Day which took place on February 27th this year, the Toronto Zoo’s newest polar bear cub Juno was adopted into our country’s armed forces. Private Juno was born on Remembrance Day 2015 and is the official “live mascot” of the Canadian Army.


The zoo and army will be adding a commemorative plaque at Juno’s exhibit. A costumed polar bear mascot named Juno the Canadian Army Mascot joined the Canadian Army in 2003 as a spokesperson for family-oriented and civilian functions. Both Juno’s are named after Juno Beach, which Brigadier General David Patterson, Deputy Commander, 4th Canadian Division describes as “an important part of our Canadian military history and heritage.” Canadian Troops stormed the beach in Northern France as part of the D-day invasion operation in 1944.


Lieutenant-General Marquis Hainse, Commander of the Canadian Army, was proud to welcome Juno into the army saying “she will stand as a living example of the bravery, tenacity and strength of our soldiers who were instrumental in the success of D-Day operations on the shores of Normandy in 1944.”

 

 

Written by: Amar Mirchandani @amarmirch
Featured image via Toronto Zoo

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