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Official Statement from the Vimy Foundation on events in Ottawa on the weekend of 29-30 January 2022

Date published:

January 31, 2022

Official Statement from the Vimy Foundation on events in Ottawa on the weekend of 29-30 January 2022

It is with dismay that we learned about the events that happened at several memorials in Ottawa, last weekend, notably at the Canadian War Memorial, where the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 lay. The National War Memorial, also known as “The Response”, was originally inaugurated in 1939 to commemorate the Canadian contribution to the First World War. It now symbolizes the sacrifice of all Canadian Armed Forces personnel and is also the site of a yearly national Remembrance Day ceremony, every November 11th. 

The Vimy Foundation is adamant that the Canadian War Memorial and the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument, among others, deserve better respect than what was seen on the images and videos shared during last weekend, or alleged by witnesses. 

The Vimy Foundation would also like to thank citizens who took great care of the recently defaced monuments by carefully cleaning them. These citizen’s initiatives reassure us of the collective ability to protect the memory of our veterans and the approximately 116,000 Canadians who have died in combat in the last century.

We encourage Canadians to commemorate, remember and educate themselves. What we do today, marks us for tomorrow.

Lest we forget.

The Canadian War Memorial under construction. Archives of the City of Vancouver, AM54-S4-: Mon P41.1. Provided by The Vimy Foundation.

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This handcrafted pin dish, created exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, features the image of a poppy—an enduring symbol of remembrance. Designed and hand-thrown by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Christian Corbet, each ceramic piece is a limited edition. Ideal for holding pins, jewelry, or small keepsakes, the dish is both functional and commemorative. A meaningful addition to any collection, it pays tribute to the legacy of those who served. Hand-thrown ceramic Features original poppy design by Christian Corbet Approximately 8.5 cm wide Made in Canada Limited edition

Limited Edition Poppy Pin Dish by Christian Corbet

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⚠️ Please note: This item is not sold or shipped by the Vimy Foundation and is only available through the Gentleman Rogue website. 👉 Please visit their site to purchase directly from Gentleman Rogue. https://gentlemanrogue.ca/collections/rogue-defender-1/Pocket-Squares This elegant silk scarf from Gentleman Rogue’s Rogue Defender Series pays tribute to the courage and legacy of those who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Designed with the colours of the four Canadian divisions that served together for the first time during the 1917 offensive, the scarf blends historical symbolism with timeless style. 100% Silk
Part of the Rogue Defender Series
20% of proceeds from this item are donated directly to the Vimy Foundation

Gentleman Rogue Silk Scarf – Rogue Defender Series

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Dogs have been used in war for centuries worldwide. Their duties have ranged from pulling carts, sentries, scouts, messengers, as mascots, rat catchers in the trenches, search and rescue, bomb detectors and first aid dogs. Countless stories of incredible heroic acts performed by these animals have been told throughout the First World War and beyond. Dogs continue to be put to work in military service to this day as their role expands to include service animals for veterans. The Vimy Foundation partnered with Dog Hair INCluded (Montreal) to design these quality and durable bandanas featuring our Vimy Plaid. Honor those four-legged friends who also helped shape our history with this rugged and stylish pet bandana.

Vimy Foundation Pet Bandana

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