A ceremony of homage, remembrance and gratitude took place at the Canmore Royal Canadian Legion, with the branch’s Canadian flag lowered to half mast to commemorate Vimy Ridge Day, Saturday (April 9).
In 2003, the federal government decreed by act of parliament that April 9 shall be recognized as Vimy Ridge Day to honour the Canadians who fought and laid down their lives to capture France’s Vimy Ridge from the German 6th Army (April 9-12, 1917) during the First World War.
Legion members were on hand to pay respects, with Branch President Darrel Jones leading the ceremony and Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards offering personal reflection of the emotional magnitude a Canadian feels when personally visiting Vimy.
“The importance in this is when Canada was recognized and first became a country in battle, they were recognized for taking Vimy Ridge and were the only ones that could take it,” said Jones.
“That was 99 years ago to this day, with next year being the 100th anniversary and that is important to remember, along with the people who sacrificed. If it wasn’t for these brave men and ladies we would not have the freedom that we have today; with the freedom they gave us we get to decide what we wish to decide. If the tide turned the other way, it would have been a totally different story.”
After the Act of Remembrance, Jones and Richards laid wreaths by the branch’s war memorial cenotaph, with attendees adorning each with their poppies to pay respects.
“Having had the opportunity to visit Vimy Ridge with my then-14 year old son in 2010, I can tell you that it is an experience that will have a profound effect upon you,” Richards said during the ceremony.
“If any of you ever have the opportunity to visit the site, I want you to do something for me: Take a few moments to reach down and feel the grass. This is the life that grows from the dirt and mud soaked by courageous blood, shed by young men in the cause of freedom. Thank you all for being here to honour those who laid down their lives at Vimy Ridge, and all of our brave veterans.”
Richards also shared the numbers of Canadians lost and wounded during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the First World War, to help in reminding of the sheer scope of sacrifices made.
3,598 – Number of Canadians who laid down their lives at Vimy Ridge.
7,000 – The number of wounded.
11,285 – The number of Canadians with an unknown final resting place from the First World War inscribed on the Vimy Ridge Memorial.
60,661 – The total number of Canadian lives lost fighting the First World War.
2017 will be a momentous milestone for the country as a whole, with the 100th anniversary of the Battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid and the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
