Canadian National Vimy Memorial

To honour the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canada's 150th and while in France, we made our way to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Carved on the walls of the monument are the names of some 11,285 Canadians who died in France and whose final resting place was then unknown. Standing on the monument's wide stone terrace overlooking the broad fields and rolling hills of northern France, one can see other places where Canadians fought and died during the war. More than 66,000 gave their lives during WWI. While there, we witnessed a service, complete with bagpipes, given by a group of young men from St. Andrews College, Aurora, Ontario. These youth probably would have been close in age to many who died here. It was a very moving experience on a wonderfully sunny, clear and warm day. As we travel through various countries these past weeks I am continually reminded how lucky we are to live in Canada and be Canadians. Bon anniversaire mon pays.

See Photos below....