_{April 3}

_{Today the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award recipients arrived in Belgium beginning their 8 day journey across Europe where they will spend time visiting cemeteries, museums, battlefields and commemorative sites from the First World War.}

_{On this first day, the students spent time at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and visitors center where they had a guided tour provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We also asked each of the students which site they were looking forward to the most during their journey through France and Belgium.}

_{Tamas: I am super excited to learn about the First World War hands on now that we have arrived in Europe! I hope to learn and retain knowledge better through this unique and diverse learning mode.} 

_{Sienna: Je suis enthousiaste à l’idée de vivre une expérience unique et de mieux comprendre l’histoire en étant sur le terrain. Je m’attends à en apprendre encore plus sur le rôle du Canada pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et à repartir avec une nouvelle façon de voir l’importance du souvenir.}

_{Adelle: I am super exited to be a part of this program in Belgium and France! I really look forward to getting to know everyone better and learning more about the reality of the Great War.} 

_{Rey: I expect to go more in-depth into my cultural side of this things in WW1 and find stuff such as graves and memorials of Indian Soldiers which I do not learn much about in school. I want to learn in ways that allow me to experience things outside of a book. After the first day, I am greatly excited to present my soldier project and visit other memorials to find unique stuff that can be found in gravestones such as medals or region logos. The part that connects the most would be the messages written in these gravestones by their loved ones.}

_{Priscilla: I expect this program to help me develop new skills and gain valuable expérience. I’m excited to learn, meet new people and take on new challenges.}

_{Gayoung: I expect to gain personal connections to Canadian First World War history, new connections with peers, and gain a comprehensive viewpoint in examining world war history. I am most excited for the variety of places that we will be visiting and the discussions we will have about different topics.}

_{Daniel: I hope to learn more about Canada's role in the First World War and what it means to be a Canadian especially during a moment of crisis and significant danger.} 

_{I'm excited to learn about the First World War through walking and seeing the actual battlefields of the war instead of learning about it through textbooks and worksheets, as I think it will help me understand the daily lives and experiences of the soldiers and nurses on the frontlines better.}

_{Jiwoo: My expectations for the program include meeting and connecting with like-minded peers and gaining a deeper understanding of the First World War and Canada's contributions. I am excited to visit the grave of my soldier, who I have studied for the past few weeks.  It will be such an incredible experience to see it in person.} 

_{Nico: My expectation for this incredible program is to see the locations where these brave soldiers fought and died for us. I am most excited to see the Vimy ridge memorial.}

_{Baraa: Je m'attends à ce que ce programme attise davantage ma curiosité vis-a-vis des événements historiques majeurs lors de la première guerre mondiale (ex: batailles majeurs, dates importantes, personnalités influentes). L'activité d'aujourd'hui m'a permis d'avoir une idée du déroulement du programme: il nous permettra nous seulement d'affiner nos connaissances historiques, mais aussi de perfectionner notre esprit critique historique.} 

_{S'il y a bien une chose que j'ai appris aujourd'hui, c'est qu'il y a une multitude de façons d'analyser le déroulement de cette guerre et ses effets à long-terme: nous avions vu le côté émotionnel lors de la dernière activité et je serais excité d'analyser d'autres perspectives pour les jours qui suivent.} 

_{Lujain: I hope that through experiencing the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, I will walk away with a new understanding of conflict, as well as the role Canada played in the First World War. This experience has connected me with other like-minded students from across the country, who will help enlighten me, opening my eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking.}

_{Puneet: I expect to gain a deeper understanding of the First World War through the VPA program, by engaging in discussions with like-minded peers and visiting historical sites I otherwise would not have the opportunity to see. I am most excited for my soldier presentation, as I selected a Sikh soldier, with whom I share my religion, and I hope to ensure his story is not forgotten.}

_{Matthew: I'm so excited to start this project with all these amazing people. I can't wait to see how we remember the First World War all over Europe.}

_{Grace: My expectation for the Vimy Pilgrimage Award program is that I will enhance my critical thinking skills through active participation in a setting that expands far beyond the classroom walls. I am most excited to visit my great great uncle’s final resting place as fostering personal connections helps me to understand complex and heavy topics.}

_{Tristan: I expect, from the program, to gain a much deeper understanding of the Canadians, and their stories, who fought in the First World War. I am excited to go to all of the memorials and events that are happening to commemorate the battles of the First World War.}

_{Fatima: During this program, I hope to gain a deeper understanding and connection to Canada's role in the First World War. I'm excited to make new memories and try some Belgian chocolate.} 

_{Agathe: Je m’attends du programme à vivre une expérience où chaque moment sera rempli de nouveauté, de joie et d’apprentissage. J’ai vraiment très hâte de vivre chaque minute de cette expérience où chaque moment sera enrichissant.}

_{Joseph: So far this trip has connected me with many amazing people. I expect to gain a better understanding of the conflict and am excited to learn more about it alongside my peers.}

_{Elle: I am expecting to learn all kinds of new information through the emotional experiences of being at the sites and I am most excited to see the memorials and how the different ways soldiers have been commemorated throughout history.} 

_{Pania: I am so happy to be in Belgium and take in the beautiful sights! I am really excited to go see the namesake of this program, the Canadian Vimy Memorial, and attend the ceremony for Vimy Ridge Day. This memorial is such an important aspect of commemorating the soldiers that fought so courageously for our country, and I am looking forward to visiting and paying my respects.} 

_{April 4}

_{Today the students of this years Vimy Pilgrimage Award spent their 2nd day of the program visiting a number of cemeteries and sites such as the Essex Farm Cemetery and John McCrae Dressing Station, the Belgian Military Cemetery (Belgische Militaire Begraafplaats), the Saint Julien Memorial (Brooding Soldier), and more, before ending their day by visiting the Menin Gate where Nico, Lujain, and Rey presented their soldier presentations.} 

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_{Today also marks the first day of student reflections, today Nico, Lujain, Adelle share their thoughts.}

_{Nico Jerome - Courtenay, BC}

_{Today, is the 4th of April and we started off the day by going to see where "In Flanders fields" was written. This was a very interesting place to visit. Inside the bunkers around this area, you could see were soldiers engraved their name and years they were there. I just find it incredible that their carvings are still here and is a view right into there lives over 100 years ago. We also went to the largest commonwealth war cemetery in the world. It's called Tyne Cot. This cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 12000 commonwealth soldiers as well as a few graves to a variety of other countries. It was a very somber experience. And most of the graves were to an unknown soldier. We got the opportunity to visit brooding soldier. This is a large statue of a Canadian soldier looking towards the Germans front lines were they first launched the poison gas, and the Canadians saw one of there first great loss of life there in the 2nd battle of Ypres. The most memorable and special part of the day to me was by far the visit to Menin gate. It was here I did my soldier presentation on Henry Ashton Siddall. This was very special to me as I have his medals that were given to his mother. It was here I got a chalk etching of his name. I was honoured to bring this man back to life by telling his story.}

_{Lujain Hamdaqa - Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC}

_{Although it was yesterday that the group and I took our first steps on Belgian soil, it feels like the program really started today. We saw several breathtaking sites, but they were also heartbreaking. I mean, I would love to say there is only beauty in remembrance, and facing your country’s history. There is beauty in remembrance. There is beauty in facing the tragic realities of war. And there is beauty in the fact that even now 106 years after the end of the First World War a program like that of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award encourages student leaders to reflect on war, it’s consequences, and the social responsibility we and our generation have in remembering and honouring the history and sacrifices of the past. There is also a great sadness that one feels as they look out onto the gravesites. Seeing thousands of headstones within merely a span of a few hours is a remarkable experience; but not necessarily a happy one. There is a certain guilt one feels, for doubting or questioning any moment in their life, when they see how much was risked and lost for them to live the life they have.}

_{I am so grateful to be a recipient of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, we have only just started, and though I am processing difficult emotions, there definitely couldn’t be a better group of students and chaperones that I get to spend my time with! In all honesty, I am so glad that I have made so many friends because it has made the learning experience and emotional experience easier.} 

_{Today I had the privilege of visiting a few different Belgian memorial sites. Of these sites, my favorites were Langemark Cemetery, Tyne Cot Cemetery and Menin gate. I also presented my soldier’s biography and my reflection to the group.} 

_{For this presentation I wrote about and reflected on the life of Lieutenant Alexis Hannum Helmer. The truth is Helmer was one of almost 11 million military deaths that occurred over the period of the first world war. While each individual deserves to be honoured and recognized, understanding each person's legacy is an impossible task. With all the research I have done, I do not know Helmer. Despite the research I have done, I will never know Helmer. His legacy should go beyond the superficial details of his enlistment.Though Alexis Helmer will never have the honour of knowing this, it is important for the world to know that accredited surgeon and poet John McCrae wrote the famous war-time poem, “In Flanders Fields” inspired by his friend’s death. His friend, Alexis Helmer. Oftentimes, this poem is recited during remembrance ceremonies. While people may recognize the poem, and even John McCrae's name, not many know of its muse. Alexis Helmer.} 

_{And the journey continues…}

_{Adelle Levesque - Falher, AB}

_{Today was our first full day in Belgium. We visited multiple cemeteries, each with their own story. We first visited the Essex Farm Cemetery. We discovered bunkers that were built into the hill, where the wounded soldiers would be kept while they recovered. It was there that John Mcrae wrote his infamous poem: In Flanders Fields. Standing in the very spot where lay a thousand soldiers of the Great War brings new meaning and definition to John Mcrae’s writings. These soldiers were once living and breathing, like me and you. They walked under the same sun and stars and set food on the same dirt as I do. Yet here they lay. I was shocked to find the grave of a soldier who was only 15 years old when he died. Maybe he saw war as an adventure, a trip. A way to escape repetitive life working on a farm. A chance at glory and heroism. Valentine Joe Strudwick enlisted at 14 years old, and was killed during morning shell fire. He was just a boy, younger than I am myself. When Joe was shipped to Belgium and put to work in the trenches, he was faced with the reality of war. He answered the call and suffered the consequences. He should not have been there. He should not have died that fateful morning. This brought me to another level of reflection on the gruesome, bloody conflict that destroyed so many lives, and brought so much grief. I mourn along with all the families who lost their loved ones.} 

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_{April 5}

_{On Day 3 of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award program, students explored key First World War sites around Ypres. The day began at the Christmas Truce Memorial, followed by a visit to La Laiterie Military Cemetery, where Puneet offered a moving presentation. At Hill 60, Jiwoo captured images for her blog, and Baraa presented at the Yorkshire Trench, giving insight into trench warfare.}

_{In the afternoon, Fatima, Sienna, Priscilla, and Jiwoo gave field presentations at the Menin Gate, followed by a visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum and a walk through the streets of Ypres. The group also stopped at Ramparts Cemetery, where Adelle, Matthew, Tamas, and Baraa shared their research.}

_{The evening concluded with the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Matthew read the Exhortation, and Puneet, Fatima, Daniel, and Baraa laid a wreath.}

_{Today, Puneet, Jiwoo, and Baraa shared their reflections}

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_{Jiwoo Song - Quispamsis, NB}

_{Today was an incredible day filled with learning. We visited many places including Hill 60, In Flanders Fields Museum, various cemeteries and attended the Menin Gate ceremony, where we had the honor to represent Canada in front of everyone.} 

_{Hill 60 is a First World War site which was conserved and filled with the breathtaking nature. Here, we were taught about the underground war that happened between the armies and the conditions. This led us to seeing the majestic crater, which resulted from the underground war.  At this place, it was amazing of how a place that is now so peaceful, with trees surrounding, flowers blooming, and birds singing, was a site of violence in the past.} 

_{The In Flanders Fields Museum was beautiful on the outside, and equally, the inside. The building survived the First World War and is visited by many individuals to this day. In the inside, the museum contains detailed information on all aspects of the war. It had sections with posters used during the time, hand-written journals and letters to loved ones, pieces of clothing, weapons, and important messages from the past. It was truly a magnificent experience and feeling to be able to visit this place and learn more about soldiers' lives. Personally, the most memorable experience from this was when I got to trace a soldier's life around the museum and connected with him.} 

_{Being able to visit the places where battles were fought and where soldiers are commemorated was life-changing experiences for us all.} 

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_{Puneet Kaur - Surrey, BC}

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_{Today was an absolutely amazing day! We began with a visit to the Christmas Truce Memorial, where we learned about how soldiers stopped fighting on Christmas Day and played a soccer game together. It was heartwarming to see how, even in war, sport can bring people together. However, we also learned how these stories were often exaggerated, with grains of truth distorted over time. This set the tone for the day's learning: how we can reconcile the soldiers' memories with the actual events that took place during the First World War.}

_{Next, we traveled to the La Laiterie Cemetery for my soldier presentation! I had been preparing my research on Private Sunta Goojar Singh for weeks, and being able to share his story with my peers was such a moving experience. One of the reasons I selected him was because of the three Sikh soldiers who passed away due to war injuries, Singh was the only one with a Punjabi inscription on his headstone: “ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ” (Ik Onkar Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh). This translates to "There is One God, and Victory belongs to God," which is a central teaching in our faith and reflects how, even in death, his religion remained significant. As part of my reflection, I crocheted a maple leaf and placed it on his grave, which made the experience deeply emotional.}

_{We then visited Hill 60 and saw a massive crater. While this was proof of how the war drastically altered the environment, it was inspiring to see how nature slowly rebuilt itself in such a beautiful way.}

_{Afterward, we listened to Baraa’s soldier presentation, which honored an unknown soldier, and he did so in a way that also commemorated all unknown soldiers. We also heard two field presentations. My favorite part of the "Daily Living Conditions" presentation was learning how soldiers maintained normalcy by creating art, like decorating shell casings. The most impactful aspect of the second presentation, "Why Did Soldiers Enlist?" was realizing that despite the concept of equality in death, the reasons soldiers enlisted were vastly different: some volunteered, and others were conscripted.}

_{In the evening, we attended the Menin Gate Ceremony, where I had the privilege of laying the Vimy Foundation wreath alongside Daniel, Fatima, and Baraa. It was an honor to be part of such a significant event, and my favorite part was the concluding words of the ceremony:}

_{“When you go home}

_{Tell them of us and say}

_{For your tomorrow}

_{We gave our today.”}

_{Finally, we reflected on why we applied for this program, realizing that, just like the soldiers, we each have our own personal reasons for being a part of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award.}

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_{Baraa Lamine - Ottawa, ON}

_{Une journée gravée dans le cœur}

_{La journée d’aujourd’hui fut intense. Intense physiquement, oui — les longues marches, le rythme soutenu — mais surtout, elle a été un véritable bouleversement émotionnel.}

_{Ce matin, j’ai présenté l’histoire de mon soldat: Louis Eugène Francisque Melet. Un homme tombé lors de la deuxième bataille d’Ypres, mort sans tombe, sans pierre pour honorer sa mémoire. Les jours précédents, j’avais déjà été profondément touché par le sort des soldats reposant dans les cimetières que nous avons visités. Mais aujourd’hui, une question m’a hanté: pourquoi Louis Melet n’a-t-il pas eu droit à une tombe, à une place visible dans la mémoire collective? Ne la méritait-il pas, lui aussi?}

_{Partager son histoire m’a permis de réaliser quelque chose d’essentiel: on ne peut pas résumer la Grande Guerre à une seule expérience. Chaque soldat, chaque personne impliquée, porte en elle une histoire unique. Notre présentation de groupe l’a bien montré aussi, avec les diverses raisons d’enrôlement des soldats. De plus, que ce soit Louis Melet, les soldats australiens creusant sous terre, ou les habitants d’Ypres, figés dans la peur d’une attaque imminente… tous ont vécu une guerre différente. Et toutes ces histoires méritent d’être racontées.}

_{Parmi tous les moments vécus aujourd’hui, deux m’ont particulièrement marqué. Le premier fut notre visite au musée In Flanders Fields: un lieu où les visages, les lettres, les voix du passé nous parlent directement. Le second fut la cérémonie au Menin Gate, un moment de recueillement profond. Déposer cette couronne de fleurs, entendre la Last Post résonner dans le silence… c’est là que j’ai véritablement commencé à comprendre ce qu’est la mémoire.}

_{Car parler de cette guerre, c’est évoquer l’indicible: les morts sans nom, les amitiés brisées, les âmes marquées à jamais, les regards perdus dans la peur. Et c’est dans ces instants, dans ces lieux, que j’ai senti le poids de cette histoire.}

_{Aujourd’hui, j’ai compris que la Première Guerre mondiale ne touche pas seulement ceux qui l’ont vécue. Elle continue de résonner dans les cœurs, partout dans le monde. Et désormais, elle résonne aussi dans le mien}

_{April 6}

_{Day 4 of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award program took students through the Somme region, focusing on sites that reflect the global scope of the First World War. The day began at the Ayette Indian and Chinese Cemetery, a reminder of the diverse contributions made during the conflict.}

_{At Delville Wood, the students visited the South African Memorial, where Puneet, Joseph, Gayoung, and Agathe gave a field presentation. The group then visited the Fricourt German Cemetery, one of the few German cemeteries in the region.}

_{The day continued with a stop at Adanac Military Cemetery, where Matthew delivered a presentation accompanied by a reflective moment with the bagpipes. At the Thiepval Memorial, Grace took photos of the students as they took in the scale of the structure and the thousands of missing names.}

_{Later in the day, a field presentation at Delsaux Farm Cemetery was delivered by Tristan, Rey, Nico, and Elle. The final stop was at La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, bringing the day’s reflections full circle.}

_{Today, Daniel, Grace, Matthew shared their reflections.}

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_{Matthew Owen-Hunt - Winnipeg, MB}

_{Today was a big day for us. We left Belgium and crossed into France. This is where we will carry on learning about the First World War. One of the most moving parts of the day was visiting some Indian Commonwealth war graves cemeteries. I saw the names and epitaphs in different languages. This made me realise that this war was global and the contributions of these soldiers are often overlooked.}

_{At Delville Wood, we stood beneath the last tree that survived the shelling of the war. It is the only living witness to the chaos that once consumed that space. We also heard a presentation on the environmental impacts of the First World War. It was deeply sobering to learn that the land itself still bears scars more than a century later.}

_{We also went to a German cemetery at the Somme and learned about the start of that battle. The number of deaths felt overwhelming, but it was made more real by personal stories, like that of James Cleveland Richardson, a fellow piper and cadet whose grave we visited at ADANAC Cemetery. Tribute paid to someone I feel personally connected to made the experience incredibly meaningful.}

_{We also learned about Vincent Carvery and the No. 2 Construction Battalion at Delsaux Farm Cemetery. This was the first and only all-Black battalion in Canadian military history. Despite facing discrimination, they showed great resilience and made a significant contribution to the war. Their story is a powerful reminder of the many people and faces that shaped the war's legacy.}

_{Each place we visited made me think more about what it means to remember and honour those who died in the war.}

_{Daniel Li - Surrey, BC}

_{On April 6th, we left the southern Belgian countryside to visit the battlefields of Somme in northern France. In the late morning, we arrived at the Fricourt German Cemetery just east of Amiens and stepped out to find a quiet site with rows of stone crosses representing the fallen German soldiers. Directly west of the cemetery, we could see the normally flat landscape begin to curl up higher in elevation to form a small ridge a few hundred meters away. It was from these ridges that soldiers from the British Expeditionary Force stormed out of their trenches in the summer of 1916 to attack the German positions. In what would be the bloodiest day in British military history, the BEF would suffer almost 60,000 casualties on the first day of the Somme offensive while taking only hundreds of meters of land. It was surreal to see the very hills that the infamous Battle of the Somme had taken in place, with my own eyes and to step onto ground that must’ve been fought over dozens of times. Beyond surreal, it was moving to see how the landscape of the once blasted wasteland of the Somme during the First World War transformed into lush fields of green grass infested more with bugs than barbed wire in the modern day, showing the power time has in healing the physical landscape. But reminded as I was of the ability of time in healing the natural environment, I thought of the enduring nature of the Somme in our collective memories and how it continues to be a warning to generals and leaders to not break faith with those who died for nothing but meters of dirt.} 

_{Grace Snow - St. John's, NL}

_{Today was our first day in France. We explored many cemeteries which generated group discussions that helped me personally connect to the information. Being outside a classroom setting is a much more effective way to adapt to my learning style. There is no substitute for hands-on learning in a real life setting.}

_{Un exemple est le mémorial de Delville Wood, Il y avait un arbre qui était le dernier arbre dans la forêt pas détruit par la Bataille de la Somme. Cet arbre a changé ma perception. Au début de ce programme, je pensais et je savais beaucoup à propos des soldats et des batailles, mais je ne savais pas beaucoup des effets causés par la guerre sur l'environnement. Maintenant que j'ai réfléchi, j'ai réalisé que la guerre était certainement mauvaise pour les personnes comme les soldats, mais la guerre est également mauvaise pour l'environnement. Les effets sur l'environnement sont un facteur que je n'avais pas considéré avant. Un exemple d'un facteur de l'environnement que j'avais appris aujourd'hui est à propos des feux. La fumée va dans l'air et l'atmosphère. Ceci est problématique parce que ça cause des problèmes respiratoires pour les soldats.} 

_{In addition to learning about memorials, l have also formed relationships with like minded peers across the country. With each individual, I share something special with each of them. For example, l have new friends that teach me more about the French language. Learning is a pivotal aspect that I can bring home with me to help me with my future studies.}

_{In conclusion, today was a day filled with new discoveries. I gained a deeper understanding of environmental impacts by seeing them firsthand, outside a classroom setting. Seeing the memorials in person is a reality that cannot be replicated. The Vimy Pilgrimage Award is an incredible experience.}

_{Throughout our next couple of days in France, I will continue to value the opportunity to learn as much as I can. I will proudly carry my new knowledge of the complexities of war and its lasting effects on both people and the environment with me as I go back to Newfoundland.}

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^{April 7}

_{On Day 5 of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, students visited several sites tied to the First World War in the Somme region. The day began at the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne, where Tristan gave a presentation ahead of the museum visit.}

_{At Bagneux British Cemetery, Pania and Tamas delivered presentations. The group then travelled to the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, where they were guided by VPA alum Manu, followed by a presentation from Chloe in a nearby field.}

_{Today's student blog posts come from Pania, Tamas, and Priscilla}

_{Pania Ghaneian - Barrie, ON}

_{Hello Vimy Foundation fans and supporters! My name is Pania Ghaneian and I am so happy to be sharing my experience of the 5th day of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award in Péronne, France!} 

_{The lessons I learned today have transformed not only what I know about the war, but about my Canadian identity and what it means to be Canadian. This morning, we visited la Historial de la Grande Guerre. This museum is a beautiful château surrounded by a picturesque landscape. While there was so much beauty on the outside, there was so much painful history displayed on the inside. The museum was filled with artifacts from before, during, and after the war, making it such an immersive and cool experience!}

_{I had the opportunity to present my prepared Biography and Reflection on Nursing Sister Eden Lyall Pringle today. Throughout this trip, we’ve heard so many well-researched biographies and emotional reflections that have allowed us to reflect on Canada’s history and connect to the soldiers/nursing sisters on a personal level. Reading my presentation at the grave of Nurse Pringle allowed me to reflect on the importance of altruism within our society, and has built this bond between Nurse Pringle and I despite the fact that we have never met. She was a very career-oriented woman. She loved what she did and died doing it. I hope to one day work in a field where I feel the same way. We are separated from these Soldiers and Nursing Sisters through so many different factors, but also connected in so many ways.} 

_{To finish off my blog, I want to talk about my favourite experience of the day, visiting Beaumont Hammel. This site serves as a memorial of the Newfoundland soldiers that fought courageously in the First World War. The entire site is magnificent. I recommend that everyone visits at least once just to feel the rich history. What I liked about this site and Delville Wood Memorial was that they are such beautiful natural landscapes, but have so much significance and are so important to understanding the different perspectives of the First World War. Hearing the stories of the brutal experience of the Newfoundland Soldiers was transformative. Walking the path that the British lost so many men to, which is now covered with sheep, was upsetting, because it showed the bloody reality of war. While the sheep were adorable, they serve as an important reminder of the circularity of life.}

_{Overall, today was amazing. I really enjoyed all the activities we did today and felt so many emotions. I am so grateful to be here and so excited to see what is next!} 

_{Tamas Szilagyi-Kiss - Fredericton, NB}

_{For me, the most memorable part of the day was presenting my nursing sister’s presentation. For that, I chose to write about Agnes MacPherson, though I felt it important to mention the five other soldiers & nurses killed while performing an operation: sisters Pringle & Baldwin and soldiers Meek & Sage.}

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Other than presenting - where I chose to do a more unique reflection in the form of a detailed presentation on the raid that killed them - we listened to several other presentations and speeches. I particularly enjoyed seeing all of the uniforms and propaganda evolving throughout the war in the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne. It was so interesting to see how people were recruited and how fighting, even through small things like uniforms, changed over time. I did see some similar things in the Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, however that was more focused on the general history of deployment, fighting and peace during and after the First World War.}

_{I also enjoyed seeing the Ulster Tower from afar, which was such a beautiful landmark with a complicated history rooted in Ireland’s status as a part of the United Kingdom. It might have fought with Britain yet it still had a distinctly arising cultural identity, like Canada.}

_{Since landing in Belgium, I have learned such great pieces of information, especially about Canada’s involvement in the war. For me, who grew up in a former British protectorate and went to school with a British curriculum, the role of the Crown Colonies, Dominions and Protectorates is often overlooked.} 

_{The ability to look at their roles individually can magnify the not often talked about aspect of their roles, which is an important aspect of remembrance and working towards peace.}

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_{Priscilla Kusopila - Burnaby, BC}

_{Un des moments les plus mémorables et émotionnels pour moi était le verset biblique dans la réflexion de Pania, Joshua 1:9  “Have i not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Comme chrétienne, ce moment a vraiment résonné avec moi. Cela me rappelle la force et le confort que la foi peut amener, surtout quand on pense à la perte et au sacrifice de ce qui nous en précède. Cela m'a aidé à réfléchir sur la manière dont ces expériences ne connectent pas seulement avec l'histoire, mais aussi avec ma croyance personnelle.}

_{Un site qui me semblait remarquable était le mémorial de Newfoundland. Il y avait beaucoup à voir et à absorber. Les tranchées préservées, les affichages informatifs, et la disposition générale du site a donné l'impression réaliste. Il m'a donné une idée claire de ce que les soldats ont vécu et m’a fait penser plus profondément à la réalité de la guerre. Un thème qui s'est reproduit est le souvenir et le sacrifice. Chaque site qu'on visite renvoie à ces idées. Qu'il s'agisse de marcher à travers les cimetières, le message est de toujours honorer ceux et celles qui ont donné leur vie, et d'apprendre du passé. La plus grande leçon que j’ai tirée est que se souvenir de l’histoire ne consiste pas seulement à regarder en arrière, mais aussi à transmettre ces leçons à l’avenir.} 

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April 8

_{On Day 6 of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, students visited several important cemeteries and memorials, each telling a unique story of the First World War. The day began at Marcoing British Cemetery, where Grace gave a moving presentation about her great-great-uncle. Students also visited Notre Dame de Lorette, with presentations by Fatima, Daniel, and Priscilla, followed by stops at Villers Station Cemetery and Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, where Elle and Agathe shared their insights.}

_{The group continued with an emotional visit to Écoivres Military Cemetery, where students read stories, letters, and biographies of soldiers and their families. At Bois-Carré British Cemetery, Adelle gave a thoughtful presentation, and at Zivy Crater Cemetery, Daniel, Grace, Lujain, and Pania led a field presentation. For students whose soldiers didn’t have a proper tombstone, a visit to Cimetière de la Tourelle allowed them to make charcoal rubbings.}

_{The day culminated with a visit to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, where students reflected on its significance, and Tristan captured powerful images of the site.}

_{Tomorrow, the students will participate in the Vimy Ridge Day Ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.}

_{Today's blog posts come from Agathe, Tristan, Fatima, and Elle}

_{Tristan Gagnon -Whitehorse, YK}

_{Le huit avril, c'était une journée remplie de magnifiques présentations des soldats par plusieurs récipients, mais la journée a été marquée par la visite inattendue à Vimy. Entre les récipients, nous avons eu une conversation en cercle durant le coucher du soleil qui était très émouvante et touchante, en guise de dernière soirée que nous avons en groupe. Puisque c’est mon blogue aujourd'hui, je peux parler de sites qui m'ont apporté plusieurs émotions, par exemple le site de Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. L’architecture grandiose et magistrale du cimetière et de l’église m’a montré l'ampleur de ce qu'était la Première Guerre mondiale. Près du site, il y avait l'Anneau de la mémoire. Cette anneau avec des milliers de noms de soldats m’a encore démontrer l’empleure et le nombre de vies que la guerre nous a pris. Je pense que le site le plus marquant est le Mémorial National du Canada à Vimy. L’endroit est commémoré comme la naissance d’une nation, la nation du Canada. Quand je me suis retourné pour voir les lumières s’allumer j’ai failli pleurer. C'était trop magnifique et c'était très imposant. De loin, il est difficile de voir la grandiosité du site, mais une fois en personne, il n’y a guère de mots qui sont assez impressionnants pour décrire le mémorial. Tu peux sentir la naissance du Canada, la naissance de la définition de ce que ça veut dire d'être un Canadien. Je sais que j’ai fait ma présentation de soldat hier, mais je pense que mon soldat explique bien ce que ça veut dire d'être canadien. Private George Lawrence Price, il a survécu à la bataille de la Crête de Vimy et à l’offensive de Passendale et il est décédé le 11 novembre 1918 en patrouille, deux minutes avant que l’armistice soit mis en place. Ceci montre ce que veut dire la persévérance canadienne, et comment nous allons combattre jusqu'à la fin pour ce qui est juste.}

_{Agathe Carey- Gore, QC}

_{Aujourd'hui, nous avons été au cimetière dans les environs de Vimy. C'est un cimetière situé derrière les lignes de front où les défunts sont placés en ordre chronologique de 1914 à 1918. À ce cimetière, nous avons eu une discussion très touchante où nous avons parlé des histoires individuelles de différents soldats de la Grande Guerre. C’est très fréquent que, lorsque les gens visitent de nombreux cimetières, la première fois ils sont très émus et, par la suite, cela devient routinier, habituel et l’émotion a tendance à moins nous toucher. Nous avons donc lu des textes parlant de cinq soldats qui étaient enterrés dans ce cimetière. Deux de ces textes m’ont particulièrement interpelé. Le premier était une lettre écrite à un soldat au front par sa femme. Elle lui disait que tout se passait bien à la maison sans jamais laisser entendre que quelque chose se passait mal. Elle savait que son mari vivait une expérience traumatisante et ne savait pas s'il allait en revenir, elle ne voulait probablement pas l’inquiéter ou le distraire de sa tâche. Le second texte qui m’a énormément ému fut celui d’un Canadien français très pauvre qui, quand la guerre fut déclarée, n'avait pas beaucoup d’autres options que de s’enrôler. Étant Canadienne française, les histoires de ceux-ci m’intéressent particulièrement puisque je m’y sens rattachée. J’ai réellement l’impression de faire partie de quelque chose de plus grand.} 

_{Nous sommes également allés au monument canadien de Vimy et c’était très émouvant de le voir. Depuis le début de notre pèlerinage, nous imaginions ce monument, de quoi il aurait l’air et ce qu’il représenterait pour nous. Pour moi, ce fut un sentiment de réussite qui m’envahit. Toute l’histoire que nous avions apprise et le chemin que nous avions traversé nous ont menés à ce point final : nous avons réussi. Par la suite, les 19 autres lauréats et moi nous sommes assis en rond et avons parlé de ce que tout cela a représenté pour chacun d’entre nous. C’était un moment très émouvant qui m’a fait réaliser que, durant ce voyage, les autres m’ont permis d’en apprendre beaucoup plus sur moi et qui je suis. Cette grande famille que nous nous sommes créée restera à jamais unie.}

_{Fatima Syed - Ottawa, ON}

_{Today was a very emotional and unforgettable day for me. We visited Notre Dame de Lorette and the Ring of Remembrance. Visiting the sites in person truly allowed me to reflect on the sacrifices of all the soldiers and service members in the First World War.} 

_{We visited the Ring of Remembrance, where I was able to honour nursing sister Margaret Lowe. Standing by her name filled me with a deep sense of respect and gratitude towards her, as well as all nursing sisters during the First World War. I wanted to speak about the nursing sisters during the First World War because their hard work goes unnoticed, even though they played such a vital role in the war caring for all the soldiers. At a time when women were limited in their roles, nursing sisters rose above all the challenges and managed to make an impact we're still able to appreciate today. Being able to present about a nursing sister was truly such an important moment for me as a young woman; it gave me a deep appreciation for all their courage and dedication during such a difficult time.} 

_{Next, we visited the Notre Dame de Lorette cemetery, which left a deep impact on me, especially when I noticed the names of Muslim soldiers. Prior to visiting the Notre Dame de Lorette cemetery, I hadn't seen many graves of Muslim soldiers. As a Muslim, it made me feel a personal connection, knowing that there were soldiers who served in the war who shared my faith and also sacrificed so much during the First World War. It made me realize how their stories are often overlooked and how important it is to honour all those who fought for us during the war. Seeing their sacrifices being appreciated made me realize how important diversity and inclusion are, especially in war. Regardless of religion, race, gender, etc, everyone's contributions deserve to be valued, recognized, and respected.}

_{Overall, this week has been such a wonderful experience for me, and I am so grateful that I can reflect and commemorate all the individuals who served in the First World War. It has been such an eye-opening experience and has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the war and the efforts. I'm so appreciative that underrepresented groups are being recognized and receiving the recognition they deserve. It warms my heart to see everyone's contributions being acknowledged and valued, ensuring that no story is overlooked. Their stories deserve to be heard and honoured.} 

_{Thank you to the Vimy Foundation for this experience. I am truly so grateful.}

_{Elle Peters - East Lawrencetown, NS}

_{Today was immeasurably remarkable. We visited the Notre-Dame de Lorette Cemetery, and it was absolutely mind-blowing. When we first arrived at the site and I saw the rows upon rows of graves, it immediately crushed my heart. Learning about the statistics of deaths is one thing, but actually seeing it in person changed my entire perspective. It felt overwhelming to take in the sheer number of lives lost, and I was struck by how silent and peaceful the cemetery was, which gave an eerie contrast to the violence that had once taken place there.} 

_{An additionally emotional moment for me was when I presented my soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Heber Havelock Moshier today. I felt honoured to be able to tell his story, especially at his grave. It helped me realize that he isn’t just a name on a stone, he was a person. I had the privilege to be able to take a print of the Epitaph on his gravestone with clay, which I am so very excited to transform into a beautiful project when I get home.} 

_{The most emotionally impactful part of today was when we went to Vimy during the evening. Seeing the monument for the first time gave me a feeling of pride. I am hoping that I have made all of the amazing veterans who have helped me get to where I am right now, especially my dad, Colin Peters. I felt an immense sense of pride for the nation from which I come and from the sacrifices made by people who fought during the first world war, just like my great grandfather.}

_{April 9 - Vimy Day}

_{On Day 7 of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, students spent time at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, where Gayoung, Joseph, and Sienna gave thoughtful presentations, and Adelle and Matthew played the violin and bagpipes. They also visited the Grange Subway (Vimy Tunnels), with a guided tour by Rico, explored the Farbus German gun emplacements, and paid their respects at the Neuville-Saint-Vaast German War Cemetery.}

_{The day’s highlight was the Vimy Ridge Day Ceremony at the memorial, where students had the honour of participating in the official commemorations.}

_{Check out today’s reflections from Gayoung, Joseph, Sienna, and Rey}

_{Gayoung Park - Dapp, AB}

_{Today was the last day of VPA and the 108th anniversary since the beginning of the battle of Vimy Ridge. We headed to the Vimy Ridge in the morning, where Elle shared her personal experience as a daughter of a veteran. Connecting to yesterday’s discussion about the effects of war on families’ lives back home, her story exemplified the magnitude of warfare at an intimate level. Her description of her father’s military duty and its impact on her childhood was very touching and eye-opening because I  learned more about military life through her.} 

_{Afterwards, we walked through one of the 13 communication tunnels. As I walked through the unchanged parts of the subway, the constricted path and compact living quarters depicted the quality of life for the soldiers underground. I was shocked to be surrounded by the dark, damp, and small underground space that soldiers lived in for 4-6 days per rotation. Adding onto the impoverished life conditions, the environment above ground was full of bumps due to shells and craters from explosives.}

_{The glorification of Vimy Ridge from history classes was shattered by the realization that the soldiers’ lives were poor, unsanitary, dark, and wet.}

_{Every day during this trip, we learned about the soldiers’ life conditions and the battles that took away many loved ones. They all left their homes, but only some of them returned. When we ended each day with a warm supper and a comfortable bed, the comparison between the soldiers’ lives and our lives was so contrasting. Through these daily reflections, I became more aware of the quality of life that I get to enjoy and develop a time of gratefulness during my day.}

_{As well, we talked about the experience of the Moroccan Division on Vimy Ridge in front of the monument which contrasted with the Canadian meaning of Vimy Ridge. Here, I could genuinely see the ambiguity of victories: the loss of life on both sides, the irreversible destruction of nature, and only a minuscule change that left so much destruction. Throughout the program, the diverse perspectives allowed me to gain a critical lens toward examining conventional history and underrepresented stories.}

_{Sienna Dumel Wiggins - Ottawa, ON}

_{Aujourd’hui a été une journée exceptionnelle, non seulement parce que nous avons visité la crête de Vimy, mais aussi parce que nous avons eu le privilège de descendre dans les tunnels souterrains habituellement fermés au public. Ces galeries obscures, creusées à la main par les soldats alliés, étaient à la fois un lieu de refuge et une arme stratégique lors de la bataille d’avril 1917. Marcher dans ces tunnels étroits, éclairés seulement par quelques faibles lumières, a rendu la guerre soudainement plus réelle. Ces tunnels ne sont pas juste des vestiges historiques ce sont des cicatrices dans la terre, des témoins silencieux de la peur et du courage. Nous avons assisté à la cérémonie pour la Crète de Vimy et j'étais profondément reconnaissante d'être présente pour honorer ces soldats tombés au combat et leurs sacrifices ultimes.} 

_{Également, devant le Mémorial de Vimy, j’ai eu l’honneur de présenter l’histoire de James Munroe Franklin, un soldat du 28e bataillon canadien, qui fait partie des 11 285 noms gravés dans la pierre. Son histoire, comme celle de plusieurs autres, nous rappelle que derrière chaque soldat se cache un être humain : un fils, un frère, un homme aux rêves et aux espoirs brisés par la guerre. En recherchant son parcours, j’ai réalisé à quel point ces individus ne doivent plus rester des statistiques anonymes.}

_{Joseph Leclair - Steinbach, MB}

_{Today was an amazing day. From my soldier presentation in the morning and up until the ceremony at the end I was impacted in so many ways. Sharing the biography and reflection on my soldier‘s life was definitely a highlight of my day. It meant a lot to be able to share everything I had learned from following Lieutenant Acheson's life with my peers. The countless lessons I learned from that project will stay with me for the rest of my life.} 

_{Later on in our day we were given the unforgettable experience of walking through intact tunnels from the first world war. Despite the additions like concrete beams for safety, I felt as if I was walking through the past, passing by the exact same stones that thousands of soldiers have walked along. It contributed a great visual to the environment that soldiers would have experienced. These tunnels and trenches brought to life the daily life of these people.}

_{To cap off our day we participated in a ceremony at the Vimy Ridge Memorial. It was an incredible event and overall an unforgettable experience. It reminded me of the great importance in commemorating these soldiers' sacrifice. It was also very special to see and meet many influential individuals, such as the Canada-France ambassador.}

_{Overall today was an absolutely incredible day. I learned so much that I not only didn’t know, but was shocked to learn. This entire experience has been an inspirational time, and I will never forget it.}

_{Rey Das - Hammonds Plains, NS}

_{This has truly been a journey—with multiple strands of a thread, each with their own stories such as mine, meeting together at the Vimy Monument. Our final day consisted of the main event, The Vimy Ridge Ceremony with various speeches from all people, from the French to the people of Piikani Nation. But the speeches and presentations themselves were a sort of ending to my story, bringing a reflective end. It made me realize how much I was moved by each and every member's story—each presentation from day one to today before the ceremony slowly built a new emotion within us (or me at least): it was almost as we we’re reminiscing the past of the other soldiers/nurses through our own experiences.}

_{The entire Vimy site including the communication tunnels demonstrated to me the mental side of things behind the front lines, as those tunnels described in me and my peers’ words would, “have had me hallucinating or feeling ghostly”. This combined with the field exploration really helped me understand the point-of-views of both sides (good or bad), and compare/contrast between the lifestyle or mapping for both sides. The similarities between the dangers and challenges were evident after seeing the vivid description of both tunnels and bunkers.} 

_{Obviously, the theme of this journey has been sadistic and real yet through my time here, it has made me find the hidden thing behind a story—human connection and how we evolved after the war in both sides of the world to reunite at last, making sure the lost lives of soldiers, nurses and civilians were not forgotten through time. My journey with the Vimy Pilgrimage Award Program ends here, but if I had to state this all in one sentence…}

_{Don’t just use these memorials as a symbolic feature of the war, use them as a symbol of a new beginning for a world of unity and Remembrance.}

_‍