To the Editor:

April 9 marked the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  After failed attempts by both British and French forces, a corps of brave and determined Canadian soldiers captured this strategic ridge in France, which was of great importance to the German defence.

Despite the terrible price in casualties, this battle marked not only a significant Allied victory, but also the first time Canadians had fought as an independent force and not as part of the British Army.  Along with other achievements during the First World War, the Battle of Vimy Ridge helped establish Canada as a key player on the world stage, earning our country a separate signature on the Versailles Peace Treaty, which ended the war.

As a 13-year-old member of The War Amps Operation Legacy, a group of committed young people who are dedicated to preserving Canada’s military heritage, I would like to highlight this significant anniversary of a battle considered by many to mark Canada’s birth as a nation.

To commemorate the anniversary, members of Operation Legacy will be donating copies of the documentaries A Vimy Veteran Remembers and In Flanders Fields to their local libraries.  These productions are part of The War Amps internationally award-winning Military Heritage Series, which tells the lesser-known Canadian stories, and are available at a cost-recovery price by calling toll-free (800) 250-3030 or visiting waramps.ca

Melissa Shapiro

Operation Legacy Member

Winnipeg