(Michael Dawe)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

#RememberVimy

Pandemic no excuse to not remember Battle of Vimy Ridge 103 years later

Apr 11, 2020 | 1:08 PM

In the House of Commons on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau evoked memories of the fight put up by Canadian forces at the Battle of Vimy Ridge which took place exactly 103 years ago.

The WWI battle was waged from April 9-12, 1917, with just shy of 3,600 Canadians making the ultimate sacrifice, and approximately 7,000 being wounded.

“We remember their courage and sacrifice,” Trudeau said, in addition to a statement on Friday which read in part, “Canadians remember who they were, what they stood for, and the history they defined.”

Now, as the world wages a sort of war on an invisible tyrant, Canadians are being encouraged to remember the efforts of soldiers during those four bloody days in France.

“I want to say thank you for your services in making not only Canada a safer place to live, but other countries across the world safer as well,” says Alexandria Fortin, Warrant Officer Second Class, with the 65 Ponoka Royal Canadian Air Cadets. “Your services have never gone unnoticed and we appreciate you all greatly.”

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The 17-year-old Blackfalds resident was one of many forced to remember this year without the ability to hold ceremonies at a cenotaph or cemetery. Cadets Canada even held a virtual memorial on social media using the hashtag #RememberVimy. The hashtag #VimyRidgeDay was also used and trended.

“Even though we can’t be together physically, we can still come together as a great community virtually,” adds Fortin, who is considering going to school to become an airplane mechanic.

Alexandria Fortin, Warrant Officer Second Class, with the 65 Ponoka Royal Canadian Air Cadets, holds a candle on Thursday night in remembrance of Canadian lives lost at the Battle of Vimy Ridge which was waged April 9-12, 1917. (Supplied)

“Aviation has a very long history, especially for Canada, and it makes me proud to be in an amazing program such as air cadets and to have the amazing opportunities I do.”

Red Deer city councillor Michael Dawe, who is well-known as a historian, shares that while the victory at Vimy Ridge was an exciting and proud moment for Canada, it also struck the cores of small communities like Red Deer, which lost 30 men by the end.

“This was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Forces fought as a unified unit. They planned and rehearsed, planned again, and they stockpiled vast amounts of ammunition,” Dawe says. “On Easter Monday (April 9), they launched the battle, and because they were so well prepared, the artillery barrage was said to be so enormous, you could hear the distant thunder of it as far away as London, England, a distance of more than 250 kilometres.

“The Canadian pride was just enormous because they had done something others had not. But by the same token, the amount of life lost was enormous. The pain was really high in small places like Red Deer too because everyone knew those people.”

Further, Dawe agrees with Fortin that a pandemic shouldn’t stop us from remembering. In fact, he says, with everyone cooped up at home, it’s the perfect time to delve into the many documentaries, features, and articles done on the subject.

“It’s unfortunate in some respect, but there’s nothing really to prevent us from taking time in our own homes,” he says. “There are lots and lots of opportunities for people to learn why it was so important for Canada and to reflect upon what it means.”

For more information, visit VimyFoundation.ca and Cadets.ca.