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M. Dominique
de Villepin, Prime Minister of French Republic:
"The heroes of Vimy died to defend values which have
constantly united us and brought us together: values of
peace, freedom, tolerance and respect for man."
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Right
Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
"Every nation has a creation story to tell.
The First World War and the battle of Vimy Ridge are
central to the story of our country." |
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Her Majesty, The Queen:
"Canada's commemorative monument at Vimy shows Canada's
great strength and its commitment to freedom and also
shows the deep solidarity that links Canada and France.
And lastly, it certainly shows the bravery, courage and
sacrifice of the courageous Canadians that inspired a
young nation to become a great nation.
To their eternal remembrance, to those who have recently
lost their lives in Afghanistan, to Canada, and to all
who would serve the cause of freedom, I rededicate this
magnificently restored memorial." |
But memories remain. To this day the site around Vimy
Ridge is pockmarked by shell holes. Many areas are not
safe to enter, for buried there are explosives -
undetonated and still live after nine decades.
No one knows how many bodies lie, undiscovered and
alone, in land that no one will ever walk again.
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