Remembering Vimy Ridge 100 years later
Yellowknifers ponder what battle means for Canadians in 2017
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
While Maj. Jay Tarzwell stood at attention as part of a hollow square to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge, his 15-year-old son was remembering the battle on the ground it took place.
Mayor Mark Heyck lays a wreath as part of the memorial ceremony on Friday. - Jessica Davey-Quantick/ NNSL photo |
Tarzwell joined other members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, the Royal Canadian Legion, cadets and dignitaries in front of the RCMP G Division headquarters on Friday, but he's hoping St. Joseph School's trip to the site in France will help the students understand what the anniversary means.
"It affected everybody, everywhere in the entire country," he said.
"It's important to remember them as well because as time fades, those people are forgotten."
While Tarzwell's son researched a 20-year-old solider who died during the battle, Tarzwell reminded him his own great grandfather and brother fought, and his great uncle didn't come home.
"I talk to him about my great grandfather," he said.
"There's about 120 or 130 people that descended from him because he survived the war. And I said if it had of been the other way, we wouldn't be here - and who would remember us?"
Over the course of four days -April 9 to 12, 1927 - 3,598 people lost their lives, with another 7,004 wounded and 4,000 unknown soldiers dead or wounded. But Canada took Vimy Ridge, the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together.
"It was very important event in helping Canada establish itself as a nation," said Colin White, an inspector with the RCMP who attended the event.
"Even though Canada of course became a country in 1867, the Battle of Vimy Ridge was pivotal because it was proof that Canada could stand on it's own."
Several MLAs attended the event, as well as Mayor Mark Heyck, who laid a wreath in memorial.
"We have a huge debt of gratitude to the veterans that gave their lives to fight for freedom and to fight for Canada. And without that sacrifice we wouldn't be the country we are today," said Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart.
In light of current world events, he said it's important to remember the past and what it means for Canada as a nation.
"I think it's a good reminder that Canada's role in the world is as a peace keeper, as a diplomatic force," said Testart.
"With the recent events in Syria, Canada's place in the world is more important now than ever."
