Jake’s Gift brings story of remembrance back to Whitecourt

By Haylee Winger
A story inspired by the beaches of Normandy and the veterans who shared their memories there
is returning to Whitecourt as part of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign.
Jake’s Gift, written and performed by Julia Mackey and directed by Dirk Van Stralen, follows a
Canadian D-Day veteran who reluctantly returns to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of the
Allied landings to find the grave of his brother, who never came home from the war.
The story was inspired by Mackey’s own journey to Normandy in 2004.
“I was inspired to write Jake’s Gift after I travelled to Normandy for the 60th Anniversary of D-
Day back in 2004,” Mackey said.
She had created the character of Jake during a workshop in Vancouver a year earlier and felt
there was more to his story. After hearing about the upcoming anniversary on The National, she
decided to make the trip.
“It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I spent seven days attending ceremonies
and walking the beaches, interviewing as many veterans as I could. Their generosity with their
stories and my own experiences there enabled me to write Jake’s Gift,” she said.
The 65-minute, one-act play is a solo performance, with Mackey portraying four different
characters.
While walking along the shores of Juno Beach, Jake meets Isabelle, a young French girl whose
curiosity and charm push him to confront memories he has long avoided. Among them is the
wartime death of his older brother, Chester, a promising young musician.
“At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and personalizes the story behind
one soldier’s grave,” Mackey said.
The play explores friendship, forgiveness and remembrance, themes that have taken on greater
meaning for Mackey through her experiences meeting veterans and audience members.
“It has taught me that there are so many untold stories out there and that every veteran,
regardless of what campaign they were involved in, from the First World War to Afghanistan,
has a story to tell,” she said.
That message of remembrance is also part of what makes this year’s return to Whitecourt special
for Mackey.

“We are so thrilled to be returning to Whitecourt, and to kick off such an important week for the
Legion. 2026 is also the 100th Anniversary for the Royal Canadian Legion, so it’s a wonderful
time to share Jake’s Gift with Whitecourt,” Mackey said.
Over the years, some performances have held particular significance for Mackey. For the 70th
anniversary of D-Day, she returned to Normandy and performed Jake’s Gift at a venue on Juno
Beach. Mackey also performs the play in French, making the opportunity to bring the story back
to where it began especially memorable.
Another standout performance took place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on June 6,
2009, during the 65th anniversary of D-Day, with dozens of Second World War veterans in
attendance.
For Mackey, some of the most meaningful moments happen after the performance, when
audience members share their own connections to the story.
“One of my favourite parts of sharing this play is the time we get to spend with patrons after the
show, who share who their ‘Jake’ was with us and their experiences of the play. There’s no
greater gift to us,” she said.
Despite its serious subject matter, Jake’s Gift also includes moments of humour through the
personalities of Jake and Isabelle.
“People have described it as a roller coaster of emotions,” Mackey said.
She hopes the Whitecourt audience leaves thinking about its own connections to Canada’s
wartime history and the importance of remembrance.
“I hope people will feel inspired to head to a cenotaph on November 11 and that they will be
inspired to thank a veteran and to find out more about their own family’s connection to the war.
People have told us it has made them feel proud to be Canadian too,” she said.
Jake’s Gift will be performed Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m. at the Whitecourt Legion. Tickets
are $40 and are available online at jakesgift.com or in person at the Legion.
The performance will also support the Whitecourt Legion. Jake’s Gift buttons, books and
magnets will be available after the show, with 100 per cent of the profits donated to the Legion.