VIMY RIDGE REMEMBERED-98TH ANNIVERSARY

Vimy Ridge is the famous battle from World War One where according to history Canada came of age. Today is the anniversary of that famous battle. 98 years ago. Preparations are being made in France to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 1917. I wrote about this battle April 2011. The main reason- our family had a member who fought there. Ernie Ellis! He received some medals for his role. So year his role is remembered along with the other Canadians who participated. His story is so similar to others.
For those interested in more of the stories, The Vimy Foundation/La Fondation Vimy website is a wonderful site to visit. If wanted Vimy pins can be purchased for family members. Teachers can find information for their classes. Students from across Canada can participate in the Vimy Pilgrimage Award which enables them to visit Europe. In the recent edition of the Vimy newsletter there is a wonderful story of the Vimy Oaks Project- A soldier took some acorns from Vimy, planted them in Scarborough. No oak trees remain in Vimy today so the special project is growing some trees to repatriate them in France- but read the newsletter to have the full details on this amazing but simple story.
So anyone with a passion for history and especially Canadian history would find the stories in the Foundation to be interesting and food for thought. We honour the past not because we honour war but look towards the hope that efforts made will teach us lessons to work towards peace today. But here's to Ernie and all the others who served this country well and those who continue to serve today.