Veterans gathered at the cenotaph in Salmon Arm this morning for the Legion’s Vimy Ridge Day ceremony.
The ceremony began at 11 a.m., when wreaths were laid. Today marks the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which began on Easter morning in 1917.
According to the Vimy Foundation, amid sleet, mud and shellfire, soldiers of the Canadian Corps fought their way up the ridge to take the high ground overlooking the Douai Plain.
“This stunning victory followed years of failed attempts to retake the ridge, and months of planning and preparation for the operation,” the foundation’s biography on Vimy Ridge said.
“By April 12, the Canadians had taken all of their objectives, as well as 4,000 prisoners. The Canadians held Vimy Ridge. This victory came at a high cost as 3,598 Canadians lost their lives and 7,000 were wounded during the four-day battle. April 9, 1917 is still the bloodiest day in Canadian military history.”
Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison expressed gratitude on behalf of the city to those who fought and died for the freedom of Canadians.
“In the Shuswap, we can do as we wish and it was because of these people,” he said. “On behalf of Salmon Arm, thank you.”
Before wreaths were laid at the base of the cenotaph, there were two minutes of silence, followed by a reading of In Flanders Fields.
