With a crash you can hear the sounds of artillery firing ahead of you, the ground shaking, your brothers dying around you, the smell of death permitting the stale air. The rush of adrenalin coming with the beginning of the charge. This is my best imaginings of what it would be like in the hell that was Vimy Ridge, would be like. I could not even comprehend the sheet magnitude of terror that must have come with being in the trenches. This would be one of the most horrible things that could happen. The idea that you are living in up to 3 feet of water with constant noise and horrible smell of dead and dying men. The constant fear of death, being the only thing keeping you going. Even the horrors of the concentration camps could not compare to that of this war. One of the most horrible things that you could possible have done to you, happened to all of these brave soldiers. The uncertainty of whether their families were decimate or if they would ever be reunited with their homes. They lived like this for over 4 years.
Wr must never forget their sacrifices!
Ian
We got to go to the Vimy ridge monument today and we had a great day for it! It was sunny and clear making the massive, stoic and pristine white monument stand out drastically against the naturally green hillside. The monument is beautiful and was very touching to behold; it made me feel very proud to be a Canadian! An interesting fact that I learned about the monument is that the statue of Mother Canada is facing away from the battlefield because the monument designer wanted the statue to face the way the Canadians were advancing after the battle of Vimy Ridge.
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Stacey (mom of Grayson) - very eloquent and moving to read Steven and Ian, well done!
ReplyDeleteColleen (Darian's mom) - I agree with Stacey!! Thanks for the updates and the history lesson. Very cool that you were there for "Canada Day". Great photos. Keep up the updates - we are all wishing we were there with you but I'm so grateful that you get this opportunity! PS: Darian, your cat REALLY misses you!
ReplyDeleteI have spent the day mapping your trip, following your journey and comparing your pictures and stories with those on line. You have all done a great job of relaying your experiences and helping us understand. Enjoy Paris!
ReplyDeleteMary (Hunter's mom) I agree with other mom's excellent summary and I really enjoy the pictures in addition to the summary so that I can see where you are too. Thanks alot.
ReplyDeleteWell done Steve and Ian. Your blog’s incredible imagery and raw emotion described so well the absolute horror our soldier lived and died in. To actually be there means so much more than reading about it or seeing thru the eyes of Hollywood. You are right, may we never forget. Steve’s Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteI am proud to read that you are representing Canada so well, particularly when many of your days, like yesterday, involve visiting places in which Canadians fought so valiantly for the freedom of many. Ian and Steven's description of Vimy was descriptive and informative. I also thought that Dan's poem was eloquent and worthy of publication. I hope that the weather holds and I look forward to reading more about you continuing adventures. - Ian's Mom
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