Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 12/02) - Several Sir John Franklin students gathered to see one of their own discuss what he has learned while attending the 85th anniversary ceremonies marking the battle of Vimy Ridge in France.

Eight students, two teachers, and Second World War veteran Dusty Miller were on hand for a live video broadcast feed to a conference room at the NorthwesTel Tower April 10.

Brendan Matthews, a Grade 11 student, was on the screen with 11 other students from across the country, sharing their experiences beside long deserted trenches that once served as the staging ground for one of Canada's finest hours at war.

"I asked him when he was in the tunnels, what was it like?" said Grade 11 student Kenny Mann, referring to the underground caves the Germans built to hide from artillery fire during their two-year long stand against Allied forces.

Matthews described an environment -- low ceilings, dirty chambers infested with rats -- few teens could contemplate living through today.

Canada defeated the Germans there after a three-day battle on April 10, 1917. It was a feat the French nor British could accomplish in two years of continuous warfare.

"I think it's (the memorial) important because so many people died there, and the sacrifices they made so it wouldn't happen again" said Sir John's Duncan Hamre.

Miller, an air technician who served with the air force during the Second World War, said he was glad the students were interested in Canadian involvement during the war.

"I certainly appreciate the activities the students are taking towards war history," said Miller. "It shows them that these things had to be done, and that these things can happen again."