Today opened to cold weather and cloudy skies with the threat of rain/snow. It was -6 degrees with the windchill and more reminiscent of Remembrance Day in November than early April (although Remembrance Day last year was lovely – +13 degrees). Notwithstanding, today was the 98th anniversary of the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge in the Great War (so called because at the time we weren’t smart enough to start numbering them) and the first commemorative event of the season at the National War Memorial.
When the sentries were posted today, there was a notable police presence on the esplanade because of last years killing of Cpl Nathan Cirillo. The sentries posted this morning are the first sentries to have police protection and that presence will be ongoing until Remembrance Day.
The ceremony was relatively quick with the usual readings and wreath layings and appropriate solemnity. But is was also a chance for veterans to catch up with their comrades in arms and to see who came through the winter unscathed. There were, however, two items of note which I think bear mentioning. The first was at the end of the service, teens, representing the Youth of Canada, were asked to come forward and place poppies on the wreaths that had been layed by the dignitaries and I think this added a nice touch.
The second note has to do with Mr. John Newell, who laid a wreath on behalf of Vimy and veterans. It turns out Mr. Newell, at the age of 13, was present in France at the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in 1936. It should be interesting in two years when Mr. Newell will be one of the few people who can say that he was there when the Memorial was first revealed.
To see all the pictures CLICK HERE – VIMY 98th
