Inside the April edition of The Wire Megazine's Seeing Shows column will feature
and so much more, a review of the St Patrick's GALA Salute to the Junos MAPLES FOR VIMY that is creating "Living Memorials of Honour" through the planting of 500 Maple trees on Vimy Ridge and surrounding communities in France.
This is super special in my heart and in my soul, as my Great Uncle Ivan Conway served in the War there and I know many great Veteran friends of mine that I met during my time in office as Public Relations Officer at The Royal Canadian Legion, like Bob (Robert) Thornton RIP. I am honored to represent them when I attend this special event !
Maples For Vimy was founded in 2011, as a new way to honour the Canadian sacrifices of Vimy Ridge, by planting living memorials to honour our Canadian military men and women of the past, present and future. Now recognized by the Canadian and French governments, the cause has been acknowledged and supported internationally, as it continues to raise funds to defray the costs of research, growing, shipping, planting and three-year warranty coverage of these welcome new symbols of Canada’s Remembrance. Is an ALL AGES and Wheel Chair Accessible event.
Legacy of Vimy Ridge
The 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge gives Canadians a chance to Remember and reflect on the importance of Vimy Ridge in the history of Canada, and to the Legacy of Honour and Courage that our country tries to maintain. Many people in Canada know this is important but are not really sure what happened at Vimy and the significance it had on our country and The Great War, World War One.
Canadian troops had always fought under British command as “colonial forces” and in many cases were treated as “cannon fodder” to help draw fire away from a British attack or to absorb the initial fire from German trenches.
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On April 9, 1917 a Canadian commander was given the chance to lead the
Canadian Expeditionary Force to assault this difficult defensive position. The British and French armies had failed repeatedly to take Vimy Ridge and it was an opportunity for Sir Arthur Currie to take charge of Canadian forces and to introduce several new battlefield tactics. He trained and
prepared over 100,000 troops for this mission, and some of the new tactics
that he introduced are still in use today. Canadian troops with British artillery ruled the day and most objectives were captured on the first day of fighting. It was the first time that all four Canadian Divisions
attacked together under Canadian leadership and proved the legitimacy of
the Canadian Expeditionary Force.The details of the battle are filled with heroic acts of bravery and sacrifice and at the end of the battle over 10,000 Canadians had died to conquer this obstacle. The largest war monument to Canadian soldiers was built on this site after the war.
Vimy Ridge marked a change in the way Canada was viewed around
the world and within Canada. Famous quotes from that era declared “For the Canadian troops who fought at Vimy, it was one of those rare moments of truth – for the first time they recognized who they
were. They went up the ridge regionals and came down nationals.
There was now a feeling that Canada was a great nation, in charge of its own destiny. Canada now had a reputation for bravery and toughness, the ability to get the job done even when it was difficult. It showed that all parts of Canada had come together, soldiers from
every province and territory, English and French, Natives and Metis,
east and west. It was now a whole country with a new national identity. | |
Approximately 4,000 Canadian Aboriginals left their homes and families
to help fight an international war that raged in Europe. One in three, was
the proportion of able-bodied Canadian Indian men, of age to serve,
who enlisted during the First World War. Many Natives lived in isolated
areas of the country and the war was beyond anything they could
have imagined.
to help fight an international war that raged in Europe. One in three, was
the proportion of able-bodied Canadian Indian men, of age to serve,
who enlisted during the First World War. Many Natives lived in isolated
areas of the country and the war was beyond anything they could
have imagined.
The Maples for Vimy project:
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The main Vimy Ridge Centennial Living Memorials of Honour in France will see up to 100
Scouts, Cadets and Leaders
travel to France to plant 500 premium quality maple trees on
Vimy Ridge and the communities surrounding the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The
trees will be arranged into “Living Memorials of Honour™” representing each
of the four (4)
Divisions in the Canadian Corps, and one (1) representing the units attached to the
Canadian Corps. The trees are a variety of Maple trees that represent the diverse society
and culture of Canada. Red (acer
ruburm Fairview Flame') and Silver Maples
(acer saccharinum 'pyramidale') represent the original trees and
peoples of Canada. The
Regal Petticoat Maple (acer pseudoplatanus 'tunpetti'), a Canadian cultivar of the
Sycamore
Maple whose ancestry from hundreds of years ago lies in Europe and Asia, represents those
who
came to Canada and created something new. The mix of species represents the cultural
mosaic which makes up
our country.The trees will be planted on sites that are identified as
having been the areas where the Canadians under the
leadership of General Sir Arthur Currie were deployed while leading up to the battle as well
as the actual battle
grounds.
In France, the local municipal and forestry officials have approved the program (documents
available on request) and are already making preparations to receive the Canadian Scouts
and First Nation’s Cadets.
How:
The trees are already being grown in France by two of France's leading plant propagators
Andre Briant Jeunes Plantes (propagator) and Pepiniere Jean Huchet (finisher). The tree
planting will follow the highly successful methodology developed in London Ontario by the
Veterans Memorial Parkway Community Program, and
Tunpetti Corp for community based
planting projects.
The sites will be prepared by professional volunteers from horticulture companies in the
area and the trees moved into place. The Scouts, Guides and First Nation’s Cadets from
Canada along with their French counterparts will then complete the planting process. The
Volunteers are experienced community tree planters who have taken part in a number of
tree planting projects such as the VMP Community Program or the
Scoutrees program in
Canada.
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Legacy of Vimy Ridge:
The 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge gives Canadians a chance to
remember and reflect on the importance of Vimy Ridge in the history of Canada, and
to the Legacy of Honour and Courage that our country tries to
maintain. Many people
in Canada know this is important but are not really sure what happened at Vimy and
the
significance it had on our country and The Great War, World War One.
Through the Battle of Vimy Ridge there was a feeling that Canada was a great nation,
in charge of its own destiny. Canada developed a reputation for bravery and toughness,
the ability to get the job done even when it was difficult. It
showed that all parts of Canada
had come together, soldiers from every province and territory, English and French,
Natives and Metis, east and west. It was now a whole country with a new national identity.
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March 17th Maples for Vimy features
special guests:
Singer/songwriter/musician-The Bowiesque Esther Widmann of www.facebook.com/estherwid
Rock n Roll Legendary Photographer John Rowlands of www.rocknrowlands.com
JUNO awarded Myles Goodwyn (April Wine),
RPM WINNER Catherine McKinnon, and
Graham Lear (Santana, Gino Vanelli, Paul Anka),
Dale Russel (The Guess Who),
Oliver Whitehead,
Gary Martin (Funk Brothers),
Jessie Grandmont,
Laura Gagnon,
stage band MISTER E,
original Team Canada 72' members,
Universe featuring Ray,
Country sensation Adam Cousins
and
IRISH dancers/singers/musicians from London Irish Folk Club, Silent Auction,
Exhibits by:
The First Hussers (1H),
The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) 427 Squadron RCAF Association with their full sized model of the WW1,
famous Sopwith Camel,
Team Canada '72,
Remember November 11th Association + The Guides and Scouts of Canada and so much more.
Rock n Roll Legendary Photographer John Rowlands of www.rocknrowlands.com
JUNO awarded Myles Goodwyn (April Wine),
RPM WINNER Catherine McKinnon, and
Graham Lear (Santana, Gino Vanelli, Paul Anka),
Dale Russel (The Guess Who),
Oliver Whitehead,
Gary Martin (Funk Brothers),
Jessie Grandmont,
Laura Gagnon,
stage band MISTER E,
original Team Canada 72' members,
Universe featuring Ray,
Country sensation Adam Cousins
and
IRISH dancers/singers/musicians from London Irish Folk Club, Silent Auction,
Exhibits by:
The First Hussers (1H),
The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) 427 Squadron RCAF Association with their full sized model of the WW1,
famous Sopwith Camel,
Team Canada '72,
Remember November 11th Association + The Guides and Scouts of Canada and so much more.
Hurry don't delay, get your $30 tickets today
at www.eventbrite.ca (Maples for Vimy Fundraiser Gala), support
this honorable and worthwhile cause to always remember the 660,000+ Canadians who sacrificed their lives for the
'GREAT WAR' The Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 which was Canada's "Coming of Age" The Heritage will be REMEMBERED at Vimy Ridge thru living memorials of HONOUR. In honour of the 100th Anniversary of The Battle of Vimy Ridge, become an active participant by sponsoring "Maples for Vimy"
$30 at www.eventbrite.ca (Maples for Vimy Fundraiser Gala)
