A First World War battle that brought pride to a young nation and helped define what it meant to be Canadian marks 100 years next week.
Beginning April 9, the battle of Vimy Ridge reaches its centennial and military members will stand tall and remember the triumph and sacrifice Canadians made a century ago in France.
Public ceremonies in Canmore begin at 1 p.m. on April 9 at the Legion.
“What we’re trying to do is get as many soldiers and veterans within the valley to come out as we can,” said Stan Nachtigahl, vice-president of the Canmore Legion and a 20-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran.
“I think this year, marking that 100-year anniversary, it would be nice if all veterans, I don’t care if they are from Yugoslavia, really, all get together and commemorate the sacrifices on everyone’s side in the First World War, because as we know, there are rights and wrongs on both sides.”
Vimy Ridge was a triumphant victory for Allied troops over the Germans, an important battleground taken by Canadians with the help of British artillery.
After unsuccessful Allied attempts to defeat the Germans on an eight-kilometre escarpment in northern France, the young Canadian nation was called upon.
The historic battle took place from April 9-12, 1917, when Canada was able to take it.
The victory came at a steep price, though, as over 10,500 Canadians were killed or wounded.
The battle’s losses included two brothers from Banff – Jack and George Lomax – whose deaths were reported in the April and September 1917 editions of the Crag and Canyon.
Nachtigahl also would like to use the opportunity of the commemoration to connect with military service members in the Bow Valley.
“We want to work toward being a first liaison to someone who’s hurt and slipped through the cracks in the military,” said Nachtigahl.
“Whether it be a veteran of the Second World War or Afghanistan or peacekeeping, peace making … once I get these vets here, I want to actually get these guys’ names, so if later if they have issues we already have contact with them, reporting in as such.
“In the end, being in the military for 20 years, it’s nice to have that atmosphere where you can relate to others.”
At the Banff Legion on April 9, ceremonies for Vimy Ridge’s anniversary begin at 10:30 a.m. which includes the cadets.
