Lest We Forget, Newfoundlanders honoured July 1st long before we became part of Canada: July 1st is Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. It commemorates all NL veterans and especially the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who fought and died at Beaumont Hamel, France, during Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. On that day, our forces suffered great losses: only 68 out of 801 1st Newfoundland Regiment members who fought at Beaumont Hamel answered the roll call the following day. 2011 marks the 95th anniversary of that fateful day.
So, what can you do to honour Memorial Day in NL?
Well, the Royal Canadian Legion will have parades and memorial services throughout the province: in the City, join them at their Memorial Day Services at The Field Of Honor, Mount Pleasant Cemetary @ 8:30am, The Sargeants War Memorial on Queens Road @ 9:30am, or The National War Memorial @11:00am. There is also a special reception hosted by The Memory Project Speakers’ Bureau at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 56 Pleasantville from 12:00 – 2:30 pm. If you are in Mt. Pearl, the Legion also has a Parade from Smallwood Dr to the War Memorial on Park Ave, where there will be a wreath ceremony (10:30 - 11; see calendar).
Or, stop by the Caribou in Bowring Park - which is identical to the one on Beaumont Hamel in France, put there as a memorial to the 1st Newfoundland Regiment - and talk to your children about its significance and the sacrifice of those who fight for freedom.... a simple detour we can all make every time we visit the Park, one that reminds us and teaches our children how truly lucky we all are :-)
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| Beaumont Hamel, France - Caribou Memorial that overlooks the field where the NL Regiment advanced. Looks familiar doesn't it? Photo:Wikipedia |
Thank You so much for posting that. :) Have a great weekend.
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