The Sundre Pioneer Village Museum is hosting a unique opportunity until the end of the month for people to learn more about Canada’s military history.
We encourage anyone who might be interested in gaining additional insight on our country’s brief but substantial contributions that helped shape modern history to drop by the museum to check out the From Vimy to Juno travelling exhibit.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize it, but Vimy was one of the defining moments in Canada’s military history,” said Todd MacDonald, service officer for the Sundre Legion #223 as well as the lieutenant and chief training officer for the Didsbury Army Cadets #3025, about the battle that saw Canadian troops accomplish in days what our French and British Allies had failed to do at great cost over months.
“That was our coming of age almost — that’s a part of our heritage.”
Many historians agree, as do we, that Canada’s achievements on the battlefield at Vimy Ridge — which saw the introduction of what became known as a creeping artillery barrage that provided "danger close" support for advancing infantry that would have otherwise been cut to ribbons by unhampered German machine gun nests — secured the country’s reputation as a professional force to be reckoned with.
Our soldiers again demonstrated to the world their tenacity and commitment to duty on D-Day in Normandy, when Canadian units advanced further inland than any other Allied troops and were the only ones to complete their objectives despite ultimately pulling back in areas to strengthen defensive positions.
While the travelling display is essentially a chronology of Canada’s military history portrayed on large fabric, wall-mounted panels, host museums also have an opportunity to contribute additional artifacts related to that period of history.
Additional items provided courtesy of the Sundre museum include but are not limited to a long-since discontinued wool military uniform and a civilian ration card that offers some perspective on the limitations people faced during the countrywide war effort.
Ultimately, there is no glory in war — only death, destruction and sacrifice.
However, exhibits such as From Vimy to Juno are not about celebrating the terrible cost of conflict, but rather to pay tribute to the lives lost and honour their memories as well as recognize those who continue to serve.
So we salute the museum's efforts to secure the travelling exhibit, which will come down on July 27, and hope that people will find the time to check it out.
— Ducatel is the Round Up’s editor
