Students from two high schools in Pointe-Claire, in Montreal’s West Island, are preparing to attend a ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France to mark the battle’s 100th anniversary.
It was a fight that many historians say changed Canada as almost 3,600 Canadians – many of them teenagers – died during the battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War.
The conflict that started on April 9, 1917 was considered an incredible military victory.
Melissa Hunter’s students at Lindsay Place High School have been learning about the importance of Vimy Ridge for the last two years.
“It’s one of the battles that really defined Canada as an independent country,” said 16-year-old Alexander Katona, a Grade 11 student.
“It was the first time we fought all together, all four divisions.”
The teenagers say they are really beginning to understand their history.
“My grandfather told me that almost 100 years ago today, I could be dead because so many people my age were going over to fight,” said 16-year-old William Brault.
Hunter is taking 35 students to France next week – alongside 6,000 other Canadian high schoolers – to mark the 100th anniversary of the seminal battle.
Eight students from St. Thomas High School will go on the trip too.
“To be quite honest, I’m quite nervous, but also very excited,” said Katona.
“There is a very big mix of emotions going on right now.”
The students say they have worked hard preparing for the trip – watching war documentaries and reading a lot of history books.
They have attended Remembrance Day ceremonies and held fundraisers to defray some of the almost $4,000 cost per student for the trip.
Hunter believes it’s important to take history out of the classroom.
“I hope they will understand how real war is,” the social sciences teacher told Global News.
“I want them to understand how the actions of the Canadian soldiers at Vimy forged a national legacy and really solidified a lot of the values and traditions we have today in Canada.”
Hunter’s students say they’re expecting the official ceremonies at Vimy Ridge will be difficult to watch.
“Battlefields are emotional. I mean, a lot of things happened there, a lot of people died,” said Grade 9 student Emma Doyle.
“There could have been blood on the ground where you are standing. It’s pretty big.”
“We all have to be strong because this will be a powerful emotional trip,” said student Jacob Suissa.
“We are Canadians. My family has fought in the wars and I am going back for them.”
As much as the battle may have changed Canada as a country, Hunter’s students say they’re expecting the trip to also change them.
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