The Battle of Vimy Ridge was remembered 100 years later by Canadians across the country, including in Nanaimo.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 and Branch 10 held a joint ceremony Sunday at the East Wellington Road branch in remembrance and in recognition of the First World War battle.
Branch 10 legion president Allen MacLellan, who laid a wreath along with Branch 256 president Achim Sen, said the soldiers who gave their lives for their sovereign and country continue to inspire.
“In a country in which we live and which they died for, may we ever be worthy of their sacrifice,” MacLellan said.
The Nanaimo ceremony also included the national anthem, a moment of silence, a piper, a bugler and a speech by Gavin Cooper, who has visited the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France a dozen times.
He said the monument is “absolutely stunning.” He noted that there are 20 figures carved into the stone and none are holding a gun. The artist instead chose to represent ideals such as peace, justice, faith, hope, truth, honour, charity, knowledge, sacrifice and comradeship.
“That’s the legacy of Canada and that’s why these men went and that’s what they defended and that’s why we parade and that’s why we wear the uniform and that’s what the truth of Canada is…” Cooper said. “The legacy is what remains in your heart when it’s all over.”
The Battle of Vimy Ridge took place April 9-12, 1917, in northern France and is remembered as a “distinctly Canadian triumph” according to a publication by Veteran Affairs Canada. The battle gained more ground, prisoners and artillery pieces for the Allies than any previous British offensive in the war. Nearly 3,600 Canadians died in the battle and another 7,000 were wounded.
greg.sakaki@nanaimobulletin.com