THUNDER BAY, ON – It’s a historic opportunity for 44 sea cadets from across Western Canada, (7 from Thunder Bay), to pay respect to our Canadian veterans. These cadets have been selected to lead a parade of 4000 Canadian youth from the town of Givenchy, France to the Vimy Ridge Memorial to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the historic battle.
The cadets will be traveling out of Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg on April 3rd and will meet in Paris. Their pilgrimage will involve a wreath laying ceremony at Juno Beach, Menin Gate, and Beaumont Hamel.
In an effort to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the significant loss Canada faced during the First and Second World War, the cadets have adopted soldiers at the Nine Elms, Tyne Cot, and Beny Sur Mer Cemeteries.
While in Europe, the cadets will visit their soldiers graves and lay a series of wreaths and personal tributes at each cemetery. The cadets will also attempt to connect with family in Canada to extend an offer to leave a tribute on behalf of them.
“This pilgrimage will be a historic occasion for the cadets” said Lieut. (navy) Conor Lloyd, “it’s through their participation in the cadet programme, that they have been given this chance to be the face of our nation”.
Lloyd is the lead organizer and has been involved with three other pilgrimages that have taken cadets to France, Germany, Italy, and Holland. This is the first time an organized effort has taken place to increase the representation of the cadet programme at these remembrance ceremonies.
The cadets traveling are between the ages of 12 – 18 years of age and, for many of them, it’s their first opportunity to travel to Europe.