Letters from Europe: The big day has arrived

Editor’s note: Students from Kensington, Three Oaks and Kinkora high schools are travelling through Europe for the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge. The Journal Pioneer has partnered with the Kensington Intermediate Senior High School group to send regular reports of their travels.

Sunday, April 9

Sunday was the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. We visited the Vimy Ridge monument alongside 25,000 people, and of that 25,000, there were 10,000 young Canadian students. The Canadian youth in attendance made a commitment to always remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

We left at 7:45 a.m. from our hotel, cleared security and got on-site around 12:30 p.m., with the ceremony itself beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m. With it being 21C-degree weather and scorching hot, we had to be sure to drink plenty of water and apply lots of sunscreen. It was exciting to hear from Prince Charles, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General of Canada David Johnson as they acknowledged the sacrifice that Canadian soldiers made and encouraged us to never forget. Monday, we are heading to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral as well as a walking tour through the Latin Quarter.

As we attended the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, history was made and we were fortunate enough to be a part of it.

“As we attended the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge, history was made and we were fortunate enough to be a part of it.”