Commemorating soldiers
Prince County high school students prepare for Road to Vimy tour in 2017
Looking through her brothers’ photos of Vimy Ridge has Laura McNeill even more enthusiastic about her voyage to Europe. “Both of my brothers went, and they came back with such a different mindset about Remembrance Day,” said McNeill, a Grade 11 student at Three Oaks Senior High. “My grandfathers and so many of my family members fought in the war. I want to have this experience so I understand why it should mean so much to me.” A year from this past Saturday she will be standing at the historical site, taking it all in for herself. April 9 marked the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. More than 50 students from Three Oaks, Kensington Intermediate Senior High and Kinkora Regional High commemorated the day with a silent march and a ceremony at the Memorial Square cenotaph in Summerside.
These schools will be going on the Road to Vimy tour in 2017 to honour the centennial anniversary of Canada’s monumental victory during the First World War.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how soldiers would have felt 100 years ago,” said McNeill.
Students at the three schools began fundraising last month to help fund the trip, and money will be donated to the Vimy Foundation. “My parents told me I have to get as involved as I can, and I really want to do that,” added McNeill.
Kevin Bustard, a group leader with Kinkora Regional High, said the national fundraiser has about 5,000 students participating. He added students will research a Vimy veteran and a veteran from any war they know personally to gain knowledge about what life was like for them.
The trip is a big deal to everyone, and for some students it will be their first time outside of the Maritimes. “Now they’re going to Europe,” said Bustard. “Being at Vimy is humbling, and it makes you proud to be Canadian.
McNeill can’t wait to be there in real life after seeing how the memorials are respected and how beautiful it is in the photographs. “I get to go with some of my closest friends, and it will be an amazing experience.”