REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE |
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 |
The Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
has the honour to table its
FOURTEENTH REPORT
Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Thursday, May 11, 2006, to examine and report on the services and benefits provided to Canadian Forces, veterans of war and peacekeeping missions and members of their families in recognition of their services to Canada, now reports to the Senate on the subcommittee’s attendance at the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Dedication of the Restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial (April 7, 8, 9, 2007).
On the occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Dedication of the Restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs received funding through the Senate of Canada to travel to Vimy, France.
This report will provide Honourable Senators and the public at large with information regarding the events which took place in the City of Arras and the Town of Vimy on April 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2007.
On Saturday, April 7, 2007 the members of this Committee and other Canadian and French dignitaries attended the interment service of First World War soldier, Private Herbert Peterson at La Chaudière Military Cemetery. Private Peterson was a member of the 49th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force who was killed during a night raid on June 8-9, 1917. On that evening, sixteen members of the 49th Battalion were reported missing and presumed dead on the German front near Vimy Ridge. Private Peterson was one of those soldiers. Unknown human remains were found in the fall of 2003 in Avion, a town near Vimy. Modern science and good investigative work helped to identify the remains as those of Private Peterson.
Honoured guests at the interment ceremony included Herbert Peterson, Nephew of Private Herbert Peterson, and his son, Kevin Peterson, Doreen Bargholz, Niece of Private Herbert Peterson, and Douglas Bargholz, Spouse of Doreen Bargholz.
On Sunday, April 8, 2007 the members of your Committee along with the Veterans Affairs contingent and other special guests and ceremonial participants from Canada and France traveled to Arras, France to take part in the ‘The Freedom of the City’ celebration.
The Freedom of the City is a tradition which originates from British military history and is considered one of the most significant honours that a community can bestow upon a military unit. This ceremony presented the citizens of the City of Arras and the Town of Vimy with an opportunity to express their gratitude to the Canadian people for the sacrifices made during The Battle of Vimy Ridge and throughout the First World War.
Under British military tradition there are two reasons for which a community will grant freedom of the city: the municipality has enjoyed a long and happy relationship with a unit and/or to mark a people’s gratitude for heroic service. It is rare for a city to grant freedom of the city to a foreign military unit, hence this event was special indeed.
This historic ceremony began with a 2.5 kilometer parade through the streets of Arras which was led by three mounted RCMP officers followed by the Canadian Forces Contingent which represented the four divisions of the Canadian Corps which fought during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Following tradition, the Canadian Forces Contingent paraded towards a barricade at City Hall where Lieutenant General Leslie, Chief of Land Staff was met by the Chief of Police for the City of Arras. Canada’s Commanding Officer then requested to speak with M. Jean-Marie Vanlerenberghe, Sénateur et Maire d’Arras who presented the Canadians with the Freedom of the City scroll. The proclamation was then read to the public and the celebration began with drums beating and Colours flying.
On Monday April 9, 2007 your committee had the honour of attending the Commemoration Ceremony for the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Dedication of the Restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The Battle of Vimy Ridge marked a profound turning point in the First World War. For the first time, all four Canadian Divisions, which had traditionally been used to supplement their counterparts from Britain and France, fought as a Canadian unit. They were given the lead in the objective of capturing Vimy Ridge from German occupation. This task had proven too much for previous Allied attackers, as the Germans held their position on Vimy Ridge in the face of Allied attacks for more than two years. On Easter Monday April 09, 1917, Canadians led the charge up Vimy Ridge – 4 days later they had captured the entire ridge and surrounding area.
The Commemoration Ceremony on Easter Monday provided your committee with an opportunity to pay our respects to the four Canadian Divisions who fought at Vimy Ridge, and mourn the 3,598 Canadian soldiers who died there. Further, the attendance by your Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs at the Rededication Ceremony was very important and has provided each member with a sense of pride and gratitude that will never be forgotten.
Members of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs who attended the Commemoration Ceremony were as follows: The Honourable Senator Joseph A. Day, Chair; The Honourable Senator Norman K. Atkins, Deputy Chair; and the Honourable Senator Colin Kenny, Chair of the National Security and Defence Committee. Attending the ceremonies in addition to the subcommittee members as part of the Minister of Veterans Affairs contingent were the following Senators; the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, the Honourable Daniel Hays, and Minister Michael Fortier.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joseph A. Day
For the Chair