VIMY RIDGE, France – Canadians who died at Vimy Ridge helped shape Canada into a nation committed to peace, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday at the commemorative ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Trudeau was among the dignitaries to speak at the ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in northern France, where as many as 25,000 people came to honour the Canadians who died in the First World War.
Vimy was the most successful part of the Battle of Arras in April 1917, as the Canadians pushed up and captured the strategically important ridge from the Germans.
READ MORE: The Battle of Hill 70: Canada’s forgotten Vimy Ridge
Many people in the crowd used umbrellas to guard against the hot sun – different from 100 years ago when soldiers here faced rain and sleet in battle. The ceremony was marked by performances from different singers and actors who have taken on the roles of different historic figures who were at Vimy.
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Justin Trudeau delivers remarks at 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge -
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Governor General David Johnston makes address during the Battle of Vimy Ridge ceremony -
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Prince Charles delivers speech at the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge -
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Replica World War I era airplanes fly past memorial for the Battle of Vimy Ridge -
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Prince William, Prince Harry place final pair of boots at memorial for the Battle of Vimy Ridge -
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Dignitaries including royal family, Justin Trudeau arrive for 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge ceremony in France -
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Justin Trudeau, Francois Hollande lay ceremonial wreaths at Vimy Ridge memorial -
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Jets fly over Vimy Ridge memorial during 100th anniversary ceremony -
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Thousands of Canadians gathered in France for 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge
The area around the memorial was also lined with hundreds of empty black combat boots, representing those who died.
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“As I see the faces gathered here – veterans, soldiers, caregivers, so many young people – I can’t help but feel a torch is being passed,” Trudeau said in his speech. “One hundred years later, we must say this, together. And we must believe it: Never again.”
Before the prime minister spoke, Gov. Gen. Johnston told the crowd that the Vimy monument symbolizes the enduring friendship between Canada and France, underscored by the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who helped liberate the country.
“Those spires stand for peace and for freedom,” Johnston said. “They stand for justice and hope. And they remind us that one cannot exist without the other.”
READ MORE: Justin Trudeau visits France for 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge
Prince Charles – who was accompanied by his sons Prince William and Prince Harry – commended Canada for its sacrifice during the war.
“(The Canadians) succeeded in seizing the vital high ground of Vimy – a task in which many others before them had failed,” Prince Charles said.
“However, victory came at an unbearably heavy cost. This was, and remains, the single bloodiest day in Canadian military history. Yet Canadians displayed a strength of character and commitment to one another that is still evident today. They did not waver. This was Canada at its best. … ”
Earlier in the day, hundreds of citizens from this French city of Arras turned out in a heartfelt display of thanks to Canada and the thousands of Canadian soldiers who fought and died at nearby Vimy Ridge.
Arras Mayor Frederic Leturque thanked those other countries whose soldiers participated in the battle a century ago: Australians and British, New Zealanders and South Africans.
But he saved a special thanks for Canada, telling Trudeau and the hundreds of others assembled that the Canadians’ actions at Vimy was a turning point for the city – and for all of France.
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