City singer selected to help honour Vimy centennial
Edmonton singer-songwriter Rebecca Lappa, 19, will be headed to Vimy Ridge to mark the centennial of the First World War battle after winning a Spirit of Vimy contest hosted by the Government of Alberta.
Lappa earned the top prize in the 18- to 24-year-old category for her song Valiant of Vimy Ridge, a firstperson account of Calgary-born soldier John George Pattison, who was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Pattison enlisted at the age of 40 to look out for his 18-year-old son. The father and son were in the 50th Battalion.
The soldier, “in complete disregard for his own safety, ran up to a German gunning position, threw grenades at soldiers, took over the gunning position and turned it on the Germans,” Lappa said on Sunday.
“In this case, I wrote the song in first person,” she said in an interview Sunday. “I wanted to put the listener in the shoes of the character.”
Lappa found the contest online. It was a great fit for her songwriting, which is often based on history.
She sang and played guitar on the track and had a friend add mandolin to the song.
She was told she won for her “emotional connection” to her character in the song.
“I think it will drive home the point that people sacrificed themselves for freedom and the livelihood of the country,” she said, adding she will be thinking of her grandfather, a Second World War veteran.
Lt.-Gov. Lois E. Mitchell stated she hopes all Albertans take time to reflect on April 9 on the battle that has been called the birth of Canada as a nation.
“I’m so impressed with the creativity that came through in the videos and I was moved by the way these bright young citizens connected with the soldiers who fought for Canada a century ago,” said Mitchell in a news release.
“Their videos remind us that the lessons of the past continue to resonate and we all can learn and draw inspiration from the heroes who built the country we are privileged to enjoy today.”