IN THE
Cadets stand guard overnight before the morning ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
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IN
Ottawa, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge was marked by army cadets standing guard overnight at the National War Memorial. The vigil began with an evening ceremony during which 3,598 candles were placed at the memorial—one for each Canadian killed. A light show projected images of the Vimy Memorial onto the cenotaph until midnight. The overnight watch by the Army Cadet League of Canada commemorated the night soldiers spent waiting in the trenches before going over the top at Vimy on April 9, 1917. It was followed by a Sunday morning ceremony. Sentries were posted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The official commemorative ceremony included readings, musical performances and a smudging ceremony. “We have a duty, 100 years later during Canada’s 150th
anniversary of Confederation, to remain committed to remembering those who answered the call to serve and, by doing so, helped to build our country’s legacy,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna. “Their sacrifice helped ensure every Canadian today would have a future. We will remember them.” Lieutenant-Colonel Don Perrin was attending the ceremony two days before he retired from a 43-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces. The Winnipeg-born combat engineer is fourth-generation military. His grandfather, Cecil Perrin, fought at Vimy. He was also a combat engineer, or sapper. Perrin had his grandfather’s First World War medals, including a Volunteer Medal and a Service Medal with “Sapper C. Perrin” engraved on the edge. He was there, he said, to pay tribute to “those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to recognize what they did for us.” L
legionmagazine.com > JULY/AUGUST 2017
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2017-05-26 8:51 AM
