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Our American friends don't have the slightest ideas what you are refering to here. A short history lesson is in order for them.
Vimy Ridge is a place in France that the Allies could not take back. There had been two or three attemps and all failed. The commanders had come to believe the ridge could not be taken. On Easter Sunday, April 9th, 1917 the Canadians were sent to try. We lost 3,500 men in one day but reclaimed the ground. It was a devesting loss for a young nation (less than 50 years since Confederation). It is a widely held belief amoung Canadian historians that this battle was the day that Canada really became a nation.
Today a memorial at Viny Ridge to the sacrifice of the Canadians was rededicated by the Queen of England. Among others we sent 3,500 teenagers to the ceremony, each with the name and history of one of the fallen. The idea being that Canadians will never forget the sacrifice these soldiers gave in the Great War.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you Chuck for the information. It is especially informative for me to hear that 3500 teenagers stood in for the lost ones, for they were probably teens too.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Thanks for the posts guys. That was definitely a battle of historic significance and a defining moment in our history. I'm shocked and saddened that we lost another 6 young soldiers again this weekend. Such a nobel calling, but such an awful waste. God Bless our troops and all those serving in the persuit of freedom.
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A great Honor to remember those fallen Heros and not forget they lost thier lives so we could be Free .90 years ago,two great wars and Canadians have been there in many conflicts since .Lost my uncle in the 2nd World war at Monte'Casino Italy fighting for our Freedom .The battle at Vimmy Ridge personified what Canadians are all about.Loosing 6 soldiers yeasterday in Afganastan touched home once more .At the same time my American brothers and sisters have lost love ones daily in Iraq and I hope and pray those still there stay safe come home soon.
Ron.
-------------------- Ron Gibbs Gibbs Airbrush www.gibbsairbrush.com 1381 St. Marys Cres. Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7P1S1 Posts: 119 | From: Burlington,Ontario,Canada | Registered: May 2003
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Heartfelt thanks for this post- and its reasons.
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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How Ironic, and on the same day we are remembering this we lost 6 young souls in Afghanistan in a roadside bomb, all from Atlantic Canada. We should never ever forget.
Thanks Stephen.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Thank you for the post Stephen. Yes, I think we all know how it feels, don't we? And we all appreciate our freedom. I am so sad to hear of your loss in Afghanistan.
I am proud to call you Canadians our neighbors & friends!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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A hat's off for your day...we have ours...all should signify the true reality of war...my prayer is that someday, humans can coexist w/o butchering each other over beliefs and the pursuit of wealth and power......
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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I forgot to mention in my history lesson that the French were extremely grateful to Canada for conquring Vimy Ridge. In 1922 they gave the battlefield to Canada. It remains Canadian soil. Not only does it have this beautiful memorial it also contains a Canadian controled military cemetary with almost all of the Canadians that gave their lives that day.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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