Vimy Ridge Commemoration Honours Canada’s WWI Veterans

Thousands attended a national commemorative ceremony in Ottawa on April 9 to mark the Canadian World War I victory 93 years ago at Vimy Ridge in France that became a symbol of Canada’s identity as an independent nation.

Governor General Michaelle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and his wife Mrs. Laureen Harper attend the national commemorative ceremony on Vimy Ridge Day, April 9, 2010, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to honour the First World War veterans of Canada. Rideau Hall

OTTAWA—Dignitaries and veterans were among the thousands who attended a national commemorative ceremony in Ottawa on Friday to mark the Canadian World War I victory 93 years ago at Vimy Ridge in France that became a symbol of Canada’s identity as an independent nation.

Following earlier attempts by French and British troops that failed to capture the key German stronghold, the Canadians succeeded. But it came at grave cost. The four-day battle from April 9 to 12, 1917, took the life of some 3,600 Canadian soldiers.

“Today, we pay homage to the generation whose fearlessness in battle and selflessness in intention defined our young nation in the eyes of the world,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a statement. “They risked their lives so the people of Europe could live with the same peace and freedom that had taken such deep root in Canada.”

The ceremony at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Parliament Hill also paid tribute to John Babcock, Canada’s last known First World War veteran. Mr. Babcock passed away on Feb. 18 at age 109 in Spokane, Washington. With his death, government organizers of this year’s events are calling this anniversary the “end of an era.”