Remembering the battle of Vimy Ridge

Times Contributor

 

This past Saturday members of the Strathmore Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary Branch #10 held an evening of remembrance and celebration for the 95th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge.  It was on Easter Sunday on the 9th of April 1917 when 100,000 Canadian soldiers making up of four divisions took control of the German-held line under considerable resistance.  

With overwhelming success, and hailed as one the greatest victories of World War 1, the battle of Vimy Ridge in France was applauded by world leaders. Canadian Soldiers from all over Canada forged a name for our nation. A success attributed to tactical, technical and thorough planning by the Canadian Military. Today 250-acres of the former battlegrounds is now the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

Members of the legion and their guests had dinner served by members of the graduating class of 2012. As part of the evening’s events a single table setting was placed with a Canadian flag draped across the chair. A symbol of Canadian Soldiers who were lost at Vimy and those currently in Afghanistan, they will always be remembered and will always have a place set for them with respect and gratitude. Among the night’s events were speeches on the battle of Vimy Ridge. Legion members who had also participated in other battles spoke of their experiences of serving our country. 

As said wisely by guest speaker Pastor Dawn Nelson “It is important to be proud and honored of the men and women of our nation who have shown great courage. It is equally important to tell and share these historic events with our children so these stories never fade or lose meaning.”