Greece to Normandy Convoy '09

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

The anniversary of Vimy Ridge battle marks the day that Canada stood alone against the world and won the Battle that the then Super powers..France and England could not win..and they paid dearly for those efforts..
Canada paid dearly also but soldiered on under General Currie using ,for the first time..Canadian command control..Canadian soldiers fighting as a unit and set an example of what Canadian soldiers were...Which carries on to this day in our young men and women soldiers ..sailors and Airmen..the best fighting troops in the world..
Soldier on...

Apr 05, 2009 15:20 ET
Winnipeg Marks the 92nd Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - April 5, 2009) - Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, representing the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, joined family members of First World War Veterans who fought at Vimy Ridge, and representatives of local Veterans' and youth organizations to take part in a ceremony of remembrance at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park today to mark the 92nd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

"Today we honour the legacy of the more than 650,000 brave Canadians who served in the First World War and all those who have served our country and helped shape our nation today," said Mr. Bruinooge. "Canadians captured Vimy Ridge 92 years ago in a struggle for peace, freedom and democracy-values that our service men and women uphold today."

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is deemed to be one of the defining moments in the development of Canada as an independent nation. It was largely due to the hard-won victory at Vimy Ridge that Canada was awarded a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles-the treaty that ended the First World War.

The annual Vimy commemorative ceremony takes place on the nearest Sunday to April 9, the actual anniversary date of the battle. "This Winnipeg ceremony was started 20 years ago by Veteran John Reilly and continues today through the assistance of Veterans Affairs Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 1 and the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, Lieutenant-General RR Crabbe Chapter," said Veteran Murdoch Jardine, event organizer and President of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, Lieutenant-General RR Crabbe Chapter.

The Government of Canada is committed to celebrating and remembering the sacrifices and achievements of all Canadians who served in times of war, armed conflict, and peace. For more information on this significant battle in Canada's military history, visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca or call toll free 1-877-604-8489.

[Lang]

Alex,

We are taking the convoy to Vimy to have a look at the spectacular Canadian memorial.

Lang

[Lang]

Here is our latest updated route detail.

[lynx42]

Lang and Bev,

We will be staying at the same camp in Normandy as you, do you mind if we tag along for the next few days through to Ypres? We will be in a motor-home.

Regards Rick and Jill.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lang

Here is our latest updated route detail.

Lang,

I see you will stay at Bagnoles de l'Orne. We were there for a week on the 1989 MVT Normandy Tour. A lovely area known as "Swiss Normandy", the townspeople looked after us well...........even the Gendarmes asked us to stop by at the police station before moving on to Bayeaux.....to give us some Calvados that they had made on the premises ( apparantly! ).

[Lang]

Richard,

Bev and I were there in 1989 also that's why I chose it as a stop - you are right about it being a pretty place. We had a GMC Workshop body. We did a fair bit of travelling in company with Herman Pfauter in his Ward Lafrance wrecker. (Herman is meeting us in Ancona, Italy to tag along to Normandy in his US Navy painted Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4X4).

Rick,

It is a free country you can drive anywhere you want. If you want to go in our direction that is alright by me. We might need you as a new referee by then!

Lang

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Lang

Bev and I were there in 1989 also that's why I chose it as a stop - you are right about it being a pretty place. We had a GMC Workshop body. We did a fair bit of travelling in company with Herman Pfauter in his Ward Lafrance wrecker. (Herman is meeting us in Ancona, Italy to tag along to Normandy in his US Navy painted Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton 4X4).

Lang,

Sounds like our paths have crossed longer ago than I realised ! I do know of Herman and he often comes to Beltring with his grey Chev 1 1/2t.

All the best wishes for your journey, not too long to go now, see you at Etreham no doubt.

[Lang]

We have just confirmed our meeting up with the Italian Military Vehicle Club who will join and guide us from Ancona about 250km through the hills to their base at Scarperia just north of Florence.

This will please the Kiwis no end as it will follow the route of the New Zealand Division as they attacked the Gustav Line and took Florence.

Lang