Okotoks citizens will march together this weekend in recognition of sacrifices made 100 years ago.
Members of the Okotoks branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, veterans, cadets, reservists, emergency service personnel and dignitaries are coming together for the town’s annual Birth of a Nation ceremony on April 9, honouring those who fought at Vimy Ridge on the same day in 1917.
A colour party parade will assemble behind the municipal building, on Daggett Street, at 3:30 p.m., and march to Frederick Pryce Memorial Park and the cenotaph at 4 p.m. for an hour-long program.
Okotoks Legion vice-president Malcolm Hughes said it’s important to draw attention to the sacrifices made at Vimy Ridge, and the accomplishment of Canadian soldiers a century ago.
“It was a phenomenal achievement to take that ridge,” said Hughes. “It was a seven-kilometre long front covered by the four division of the Canadian Army Corps.”
Winning the battle came at a price. Nearly 3,600 of the 20,000 Canadian soldiers in the battle were lost in the fight and another 6,500 were wounded. It was an enormous count in the four-day battle, he said.
However, the Canadians succeeded where others did not.
“The area had seen something like 300,000 casualties over the efforts by the French, particularly, to take it,” said Hughes. “There was massive, massive losses. It was incredible.”
The difference in the Canadian approach was that the entire attack was planned and practiced, he said. For the first time, maps were issued down as low as sections of 10 men, he said.
“Before that, that possibility of a platoon having a map was just not being thought of,” said Hughes. “Now they did. They knew what the objective was, they practiced how they might take it. It was meticulously planned, and it was a significant turning point.”
The battle was the first time all four Canadian divisions fought as one formation.
It was also the first time Canada was seen as an equal amongst the Allies in the First World War, he said.
After the battle, Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared, “In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.”
April 9 is recognized as Birth of a Nation Day to commemorate the efforts of fallen comrades and veteran brothers.
“It’s significance can’t be downplayed,” said Hughes. “Politically, Canada was 50 years old, but from this point on Canada actually had a voice of its own, as opposed to being a colony or part of the commonwealth. I think that’s powerful.”
The Canadian Army Corps was seen as an elite group, which he said was further demonstrated at Passchendaele and during the series of attacks that would become known as Canada’s Hundred Days. From Aug. 8 to Nov. 11, 1918, 100,000 soldiers defeated elements of 47 German divisions leading up to the armistice. Canada lost more than 45,000 men during the 100-day battle.
“It’s courage, of those men and of a country,” said Hughes. “How can your country go on when tens and hundreds and thousands of your comrades are being killed around you, and you keep going?”
He said it’s important to draw attention to Birth of a Nation Day and honour those who fought at Vimy Ridge and helped define Canada’s place on the world stage. It’s about recognizing their great sacrifice and bravery, he said.
“Regardless of age, regardless of anything else, it’s fallen comrades, regardless of how long ago or how soon in the future, we always regard veterans as veterans,” said Hughes. “They’re all fallen comrades one way or the other, so I think it’s important for us to recognize that.”
Following the Okotoks ceremony, the parade will march back to the municipal building for dismissal. Afterward, there will be space reserved at The Royal Duke for those interested to congregate and toast to fallen comrades, he said.
