Speakers Corner - A Time for Reflection

Speakers Corner

Speakers Corner - A Time for Reflection

Transcript

Speakers Corner - A Time for Reflection

It's totally incredible and seeing the monument this morning as we pulled up it had a beautiful sunset going on behind it. It was all it up and it made me really proud to be a Canadian in that moment and really proud to be here at this ceremony to be a part of it, to get to see, meet and speak with the Veterans and the dignitaries who are here to honour our fallen soldiers of the First World War. Also, just driving up to the monument we went through a little town and there was all sorts of Canadian flags all over the place and it just, It really, it makes me very, very, very proud to be Canadian. Interviewer: What about your great grandfather? Oh, he got a medal from, he got a medal from Hill 70, that Hill 70 was a very bloody battle. Not that much people made it.

Medal being displayed

Veyy special, he got this because he was very brave too, he saved a lot of soldiers. Being here has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. It's been amazing. I've really liked learning about Canada's history and France's history and it actually feels really nice as a Canadian to be appreciated somewhere else seeing all the flags and everybody being together. Hi, my name is Leo Han from Stratford, PEI and this experience has been surreal as a whole Coming here to experience everything in person experiencing something that is bigger than us has been truly amazing and has been an eye opening experience encountering new other youths from Canada and also from here in France has been also pretty exciting and learning the new language, just experiencing the culture and what it means to be a Canadian has been truly great. Hello, my name's Decker Fordham, I'm from Whitehorse, Yukon and I didn't ever think I would be able to experience something like this. It's been an amazing week so far. I have seen things that I thought I would never be able to see, done things I have never been able to do and experienced things that are quite surreal. We're putting the boots down and it's a very nice experience because not only it's something really symbolic, it means a lot to us. It's also been a great opportunity to expand our surroundings with Canadian people and other French people and anyone want to add anything? So we are here honouring Canadian soldiers and also symbolic for me, Moroccan soldiers who died here. Does someone else want to add something? And the New Zealanders as well and the Austrailians. I came in remembrance of my grandfather, Edward John Hanlan who lost a lot of friends at this battle although he didn't die here. I'm out mostly remembering men who served with the 4th Batallion which is the southern Ontario units. And it's going to be a great day, there's a great vibe here. So many young people which is great to see. I want to be here at Vimy today because we're making history. It's such an important part of our countries belonging and our sense of self and it's really important and interesting to be here today to commemmorate and look back on the past and how fast we've gotten here today. My name is Tom Spence and I'm from Perth, Ontario Canada and my great uncle, he fought here and died here about two hours ago, one hundred years ago and I visited, I spent the afternoon with William, my great uncle yesterday, a special day I'm Fred from Germany and I represented the Bloc Destination Canada and the group Veteran Canada we also army Veterans from Canada and Germany and here is our sign.

Veterans shows back of vest Veteran Canada

Being here today it's honourable for the fallen soldiers and it's amazing here. Thank you!

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Description

A day where many Canadians traveled to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, their thoughts are recorded with an invitation from “Speakers Corner” sharing their thoughts and emotions for being part of this historical event.

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