Technically, we don’t live in Flanders. Geographically, Flanders is located northwest of where we live in Hainaut province. However, that doesn't seem to have hampered the presence of these floral reminders.
Poppies grow randomly and abundantly here, in the Belgian countryside. That was one of the first things that stuck me when we drove to our new home. Along the roadside they grow wild, providing pockets of colour in the bright green crop fields. There is incredible history in those fields.
We have not had many opportunities as of yet, to travel, only having moved into our house two weeks ago. Vimy Ridge, however, is a day trip and had long been a place my husband has wanted to visit. So on a beautiful day in July, we set out for Arras, France, about an hour and a half away. As you approach the region, driving through the French countryside, the tranquility belies the battles that were waged there, almost 100 years ago. And as you look across the plain and then cast your eyes up the ridge in the distance......there it stands. A monument to the many lives lost at that time. We had to stop by the side of the road and take it in.
Once at the memorial, there is a reverent feel about the place. There is an innate need to fall silent. The size and beauty of the monument are overwhelming. It was emotional.
The craftsmanship and detail are incredible. The names of all those lost in the Battle for Vimy Ridge are engraved there. They encircle the entire base of the Croatian limestone monument. We searched for familiar family names.
A short distance away, overlooked by the monument, are the actual battlefields. Parks Canada provides the opportunity for visitors to visit restored trenches and tunnels. We did. One can only imagine how horrific it must have been, huddling in the cold, damp tunnels for days at a time. There were miles and miles of them there. It took 6 months to plan and prepare for that battle.
And a short walk from the battle fields are are some of the Commonwealth Graves. The cemeteries are close to the battlefields. Those that died were buried by their comrades. Canadians are buried there.
It is said that is where Canada became a Nation unto herself. It is certainly where our Canadian soldiers made a name for themselves.
wow, Sue. Spectacular.
ReplyDelete