Sunday, April 9, 2017

Centennial Of A Battle

One hundred years ago today, the four day Battle Of Vimy Ridge began in France as part of the First World War. Canadian soldiers took the ridge together, with over ten thousand of them killed or wounded during the assault. The victory is considered a threshold moment for Canada as a nation. Today a massive limestone monument resides at the battlefield, designed by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward. It seems appropriate on this day to feature the National War Memorial here in Ottawa, unveiled in 1939 to commemorate the over 60 000 dead of that war, but since then dedicated to Canadians who have served in all wars and during peacetime. The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier, placed here in 2000, contains the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier who fell at Vimy Ridge. An official delegation is attending a ceremony at the Vimy battlesite today in France, and there is to be a ceremony here today commemorating the occasion, which I plan on attending. As well, last night a candlelight vigil was scheduled to be held here, so odds are I will have attended that, and I hope to have coverage of all of it in tomorrow's post (or posts). There are also events across the nation in many cities and towns commemorating the occasion, so if you're Canadian, check that list out if you see this early enough in the day. And have a look at this 2007 video of the Warriors Lament at Vimy Ridge. Sierra Noble is a Canadian Metis musician.

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27 comments:

  1. LindaApril 9, 2017 at 1:26 AM

    Beautiful and touching.

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  2. orvokkiApril 9, 2017 at 1:43 AM

    This really is an awesome monument.

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  3. Greensboro Daily PhotoApril 9, 2017 at 5:57 AM

    what a monument. It looks several stories high.

    Janis
    GDP

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  4. RevrunnerApril 9, 2017 at 6:33 AM

    Ah, this explains the Vimy Ridge banner hanging outside the Canadian embassy here yesterday.

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  5. Francisco Manuel Carrajola OliveiraApril 9, 2017 at 7:14 AM

    Um belo monumento.
    Um abraço e bom Domingo.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    Livros-Autografados

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  6. NormaApril 9, 2017 at 8:04 AM

    This is an impressive monument.

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  7. Elizabeth EdwardsApril 9, 2017 at 8:13 AM

    i enjoy the cannon part ... very detailed. ( ;

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  8. William KendallApril 9, 2017 at 8:22 AM

    @Linda: thank you.

    @Orvokki: it is.

    @Janis: it is the biggest monument in the city.

    @Revrunner: that doesn't surprise me.

    @Francisco: it is.

    @Norma: it was quite moving last night. I am on my way to the service this morning.

    @Beth: it is!

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  9. CloudiaApril 9, 2017 at 9:07 AM

    It is well to remember, William. Yes. Thanka

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  10. Nancy ChanApril 9, 2017 at 9:25 AM

    A beautiful monument.

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  11. September VioletsApril 9, 2017 at 9:46 AM

    The monument in Ottawa is very powerful when seen up close. A very moving performance on the video link. Thanks for the link for events. Looking forward to seeing your posts on this.
    Wendy

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  12. eileeninmdApril 9, 2017 at 9:47 AM

    Hello, it is an awesome monument. Great photos. Happy Sunday!

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  13. SRQApril 9, 2017 at 9:56 AM

    Impressive monument. Love all the detail.

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  14. RedApril 9, 2017 at 9:59 AM

    The hundredth anniversary of Vimy seems to have reawakened us as to the suffering and loss that took place at Vimy. We have an impressive monument in Ottawa to remember the sacrifices.

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  15. SharonApril 9, 2017 at 11:38 AM

    Every time you picture this memorial I'm always impressed by it's beauty and grandeur.

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  16. William KendallApril 9, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    @Cloudia: you're welcome.

    @Nancy: it really is.

    @Wendy: Miss Noble was there this morning. I got a chance to thank her personally afterwards.

    @Eileen: thank you.

    @SRQ: I do too.

    @Red: the ceremonies were both poignant.

    @Sharon: the designer of this one did beautifully.

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  17. BillApril 9, 2017 at 1:33 PM

    A very detailed monument, very nice.

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  18. LowellApril 9, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    Superb and pwerful and very moving!

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  19. Klara SApril 9, 2017 at 4:49 PM

    Magnificient monument. A lot of details.

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  20. Lowcarb team memberApril 9, 2017 at 5:11 PM

    Yes, Vimy, has been mentioned on the UK news today.
    This is a wonderful monument, appreciate the photographs you have shared.

    All the best Jan

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  21. Mari CollierApril 9, 2017 at 7:49 PM

    Very appropriate.

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  22. KayApril 9, 2017 at 8:01 PM

    Timely post.

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  23. TomApril 9, 2017 at 8:08 PM

    ...such a large and impressive display.

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  24. KateApril 9, 2017 at 10:51 PM

    I think that all soldiers should be recognised, but all these war memorials make me sad about the loss of young lives.

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  25. Jenn JilksApril 10, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    :'(

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  26. Gemma WisemanApril 10, 2017 at 5:46 PM

    The active figures on the monument create an amazing drama as a focus for a tribute ceremony.

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  27. William KendallApril 25, 2017 at 7:36 PM

    @Bill: it is powerful.

    @Lowell: thank you.

    @Klara: it is an ideal memorial- it's not about victory, but remembrance.

    @Jan: it dominated our news over those few days. It was good that the princes came out to join the occasion.

    @Mari: I thought so.

    @Kay: very much so.

    @Tom: it's a focal point in this city, and the country.

    @Kate: I think that was one of the intents of the designers of both this memorial, and the Vimy Memorial. They evoke commemoration in their design.

    @Jennifer: it was quite a day.

    @Gemma: they do.

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