Vimy Ridge event draws crowds to remember those who served

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This article was published 09/04/2017 (3132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Hana Ocadchy stood among 290 Royal Canadian Army Cadets at the Manitoba Remembers Vimy Ridge event Sunday, the 16-year-old cadet spoke of Canadian strength.

Ocadchy was among several hundred people who gathered at the cenotaph on Winnipeg’s Memorial Boulevard for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War to honour the memories of those who fought and those who fell in April 1917.

“I would think they (the Vimy soldiers) would have hoped that we’d remember them, and it feels great that so many kids and such a strong showing of people came together to say thank-you to those soldiers that worked really hard and gave so much for our country,” said Ocadchy.

“This parade was something to celebrate how all these soldiers fought and we need to respect that. It also really brings us together, renewing friendships, meeting new people and having this experience together.”

Those gathered also included veterans, dignitaries, politicians and members of the public to stand shoulder-to-shoulder and remember the 3,598 Canadians who were killed and the 7,100 who were wounded during the historic battle that saw Canadian soldiers — including Manitobans — lead the capture of Vimy Ridge, a high point on the battlefield in France.

The battle is famous for the technical and tactical innovations displayed by the Canadian fighters as well as the massive losses of life.

“Sixty-six thousand Canadians didn’t come home from that war, 45,000 failed to return from World War II but each one of those Canadians gave their lives for something bigger and that is the country that we live in today,” Canadian Forces Col. Andy Cook, the commander of 17 Wing Winnipeg, told the crowd.

“I wish to remind each and every one of the public that all members serving in uniform then and now would gladly give their lives for the Canada we all cherish. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

While no one can truly know the pain, suffering and sacrifice of the Canadians at Vimy Ridge, Cook said it’s important to recognize those who perished at Vimy Ridge, but remember all Canadian soldiers at the same time.

“Every Canadian soldier who gave their lives for Canada has paid the ultimate price. As a member of the Canadian Forces it gives me great pride and humility to see this kind of support for the sacrifice that our forebearers made on our behalf. It truly reflects the very best of Canadian ideals that all Canadians recognize the tremendous sacrifice that was made,” Cook said.

Winnipeg’s memorial was one of a number of similar events across Canada, including Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Petawawa, Quebec City and Regina. Military members and veterans from Canada also participated in commemoration events in France at Arras, the Hill 70 Monument in Loos-en-Gohelle and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy.

Sunday’s event in Winnipeg began at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park on Preston Avenue where cadets, including a band, marched from there to Memorial Boulevard and the cenotaph. After speeches, commemorative wreaths were placed by dignitaries at the foot of the cenotaph.

Dignitaries and politicians in attendance included Mayor Brian Bowman, Manitoba’s special envoy for military affairs Jon Reyes representing the provincial government, MPs Robert-Falcon Ouellette (Winnipeg Centre) and Doug Eyolfson (Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley) representing the Canadian government and Bruno Burnichon, who is the honourary consul of France in Winnipeg.

“On this anniversary of Vimy Ridge, let us never forget the sacrifice and bravery of Canadian citizen soldiers. We will remember them,” Reyes told the crowd.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CT-142 Dash 8 conducted a flyby over Cenotaph on Memorial Boulevard at about 1 p.m.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge, which began on April 9, 1917, is seen as a defining moment for Canada. It marked the first time that all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together, and holds an important place in Canada’s military history. The victory was won under very difficult conditions, in bitter cold and deep mud with terrible casualties. The Canadians who fought there are also remembered because they were regular citizens, not professional soldiers, who volunteered and were thrust into extreme conditions.

The battle tactics used at Vimy Ridge have been said to have changed warfare going forward. Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan issued a statement over the weekend stating that, “The ingenuity and fighting skills demonstrated at Vimy Ridge marked Canada’s coming of age.”

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca