Categories: just-life
Date: 10 April 2007 04:51:09
This morning, being Easter Monday, I like a lot of Canadians paid my respects to those that lost their lives for others. Today was the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. (Having visited a couple of War Museums as well as other Canadian ones, this Battle is very important to Canada)
On this day, ninety years ago, for the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps began the attack on Vimy Ridge. This ridge had been attack by both the British and the French, both armies being turned back. By midnight on the Tuesday, after the loss of three thousand five hundred and ninety-eight soldiers, the Canadian troops succeeded where others had failed. Vimy Ridge had been taken.
This is often seen as the time where Canada stepped forward, out of the shadow of the Empire to stand as a nation of her own.
In all Canadian troops won four Victoria Crosses for gallantry and bravery, though in attacking what was believed to be an inpregnable fortress and start what was the first real break-through through German lines they all showed bravery beyond measure.
The monument at Vimy took eleven years to build and was dedicated in 1936 by His Majesty King Edward VIII. Engraved across it are the names of the eleven thousand two hundred and eighty-five Canadians who died in France during the First World War and who have no known grave.
There had been a ceremony, both in France and here in Ottawa. The one out at Vimy was a rededication of the monument after it had been restored. The dignitaries including the prime-ministers of France and Canada as well as the Queen of Canada (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - who had to be called QoC four times before I worked out why there was no British flags flying, and who also spoke very good French). This was shown on a large screen at the war memorial in Ottawa, which was then followed by a ceremony here.
It was quite cold and as I hadn't planned on being there (didn't know it was going to happen) it wasn't until it was over that I realised that I couldn't really feel my toes, nor bend my fingers too well..... but I don't think that those are real hardships when you think about it.
Especially as I was then able to go off and buy a hot-chocolate from Tim Hortons and catch a bus home.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them.
Ils ne vieilliront pas comme nous qui leur avons survécu:
Ils ne connaitront jamais l'outrage ni le poids des ans.
Quand viendra I'heure du crépuscule et celle de l'aurore
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux.
They were young, as we are young.
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time.
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
We will remember them.
Ils étaient jeunes, jeunes comme nous
Ils ont servi et se sont donnes sans compter.
Nous leur promettons.
De porter leur flambeau et de ne jamais oublier.
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux
Nous nous souviendrons d'eux