Vimy Ridge

It wasn't long after we arrived in Germany that I found this book on the shelf in the library. I'm not sure what it was that spurred me on to read it, but I did and was enthralled by the historical account of Vimy Ridge.
As part of our French adventure with my family, we drove up to Vimy which is about 6 hours from here. It was a trip I had been wanting to make for 10 years!

And here we are! How neat to see Canadian flags waving in France!
Canadian university students work at the site, giving tours, information, directions and also working in the visitor centre. This young woman is from BC, as is my nephew so we had to have a picture of them together.
A donation from France to Canada, we were standing on Canadian soil.
If you click on this picture, you can read a very good summary of what transpired on this ridge.
The monument soars above the ridge and is absolutely breathtaking. It was completely restored during an 18 month period, beginning in 2005 and ending in 2006.

It is massive, as you can see!
This is Canada, mourning for all those that were lost.

The two columns represent France and Canada and the monument has a total of 20 magnificent sculptures. The monument was begun in 1922 and finally completed, almost 15 years later, in 1936. It took the sculptor 2 years alone to find just the right stone - in present-day Croatia no less.
A sobering reminder of what was lost during the Great War.

The ground is full of craters and humps and hollows of all shapes and sizes.
These sheep graze on areas that have not yet been completely cleared of explosive materials...
Canadian maple trees have been planted here by the thousands.
One of the trenches in a little better shape, no doubt, than it was during the war.

My nephew, Brodie. I see now that what is written on his t-shirt is quite fitting in this spot.