Veterans, Legionnaires, and Cadets paraded together on Saturday to mark the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
The 1917 battle is a touchstone of Canadian history. All four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together for the first time, pulling off a victory that stunned the Germans and impressed Canada’s allies, cementing our country’s reputation as a formidable fighting force.
Many historians believe that the battle of Vimy Ridge, fought 40 years after Confederation, was the moment when Canada became a nation.
Saturday’s parade in St. Paul was led by a contingent from 2395 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, commanded by Master Warrant Officer Emily Schwab. Cadets provided the flag party, and recited the Act of Remembrance, In Flanders Fields, and a history of Vimy Ridge.
Todd Farrell of the RCAF 4 Wing Band in Cold Lake sounded The Last Post and the Rouse.
MWO Schwab, who is the Corps’ Regimental Sergeant Major, said cadets regard it as a duty to remember those who fell in Canadian military service, including at Vimy Ridge.
“It’s a tradition to honour all of the fallen soldiers,” MWO Schwab said.
“We always want to make sure everyone understands it’s not just one time that they fought for us, it’s multiple times,” she said. “They’re constantly putting their lives on the line, and we do our parades to honour them and to be there for that respect.”
Peter Bednarchuk is president of St. Paul Branch 100 of the Royal Canadian Legion. He said our military history is a vital part of Canada as a nation. “We’re 109 years from Vimy Ridge, and as we get farther away this becomes just a dusty book in a library. But it shouldn’t be.”
The veterans and Legion members marching alongside the Cadets represented a passing of the torch.
“I’m super thrilled with the attendance of our Cadet Corps, and their turnout is very impressive,” Bednarchuk said.
“We need them to take the lead. And it looks like they’re doing it, and I’m happy,” he said.
