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Ottawa, Monday, April 9, 2007
It was precisely 5:30. A cold, grey morning in northern France exploded with the impossible sound of a thousand guns firing as one.
On this terrible signal, the soldiers of the Canadian Corps—the four Divisions together for the time—climbed from their trenches and began to advance toward an objective many said could never be taken. The French had tried, and so had the British, with no gain and tens-of-thousands of dead and wounded.
On that Easter Monday morning, 90 years ago, the Canadians took Vimy Ridge.
Canadian General Sir Arthur Currie, one of the masterminds of the battle plan—and who is among those remembered at the Valiants Memorial just across the way—would call it “the grandest day the Corps ever had.”
It was the day a young Canada marked out a place of its own.
In many ways, the confidence we have in ourselves as Canadians, the independence with which we express ourselves in the world, and the esteem with which we are held by the global community began with the courage and sacrifice of that day so long ago.
Today, as we gather at our National War Memorial to mark the 90th anniversary of this pivotal event in our collective history, a great many of our fellow Canadians are gathered at the Vimy Memorial in France.
Together, we honour the memory of those whose extraordinary courage is an inspiration to us all—from those who fought at Vimy Ridge, to those who continue to support people all over with world through solidarity.
Our young people continue to answer the call today; they don uniforms and selflessly venture forth, on behalf of Canada and alongside their comrades from the international community, into troubled parts of the world where it is crucial to build and maintain peace.
Just yesterday, six of our soldiers paid with their lives and two others were wounded by a deadly mine in southern Afghanistan.
Exactly one month ago, I visited with them in Kandahar. I was touched by their unyielding determination, their courage in the face of innumerable dangers and their sense of duty to help provide the people of Afghanistan with what they hope for and deserve: security, stability, justice and conditions in which they can thrive.
I know I speak for all of us when I pay tribute to these soldiers, their friends and loved ones: may they know that they are not alone at this time of unspeakable grief, and that they have the deepest respect and heartfelt support of the entire nation.
I am delighted to see so many young faces here among us today, and to know that some 5,000 other young Canadians are at Vimy Ridge as we speak.
You, the youth of our country, have a duty to remember those who sacrificed their own youth, if not their lives, in the name of justice and freedom.
The legacy they have handed down must stand the test of time.
Memory lasts longer than stone monuments.
Today our memory has rekindled the torch of remembrance to light our way as we confront the horrors facing humanity.
We must never forget.