War still rages on
100 years ago Canada came of age at Vimy Ridge?
Then the take from Vimy Ridge is that force of arms is the way that nations move up in the world — 3,600 lives snuffed. The Canadians won. At Vimy 100,000 men and boys made their country stand more worthy and therefore more respected in the world.
Old empires and their wealthy sponsors waged the First World War, called The Great War, “to make the world safe for democracy.” Blood sacrifices of ordinary folks happened in places like Vimy Ridge.
The First World War, “the war to end all wars,” continued in Europe from 1939-1945 and is still on today in the Middle East where today’s economic empires stir up terror, squabbling over borders and the spoils last divvied up at Versailles in 1919.
As for Vimy Ridge, it is preposterous that we reflect upon that carnage with pride rather than deep sadness and profound shame.
Dave Cursons
Cawston