Why do we continue to talk about the Battle of Vimy Ridge 100 years after it took place?
Is it because it was a defining moment for Canada because of the complexity of the endeavour and its eventual success, thanks to the cooperation of all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force that fought together for the first time?
Is it because so many Canadians were killed or injured in the battle, which saw 3,598 Canadian dead out of 100,000 who fought?
Is it because the First World War was a necessary evil to protect democracy? Some say war shouldn’t be fought on principle and the cause is never worth it.
But then maybe it is as simple as understanding what it must have been like to send loved ones to battle and then to never see them again.
For these reasons and many more, Canadians will spend a few moments this Sunday commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
