Wednesday, July 01, 2009

July 1st, Commemoration Day


"It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault failed of success because dead men can advance no further."

While in the rest of Canada July 1st is the national holiday, here in Newfoundland & Labrador it is also, and for me foremost, Commemoration Day. This is a day of remembrance for those souls who fought and died at Beaumont Hamel during the Battle of The Somme on July 1st 1916, in which the Newfoundland Regiment sustained over 85% casualties, killed or wounded. 780 men started the advance and only 68 answered the roll the following day.

The symbol of Commemoration Day (also referred to as Memorial Day) is the Forget-me-not, a small blue flower that seems to be able to grow in the harshest of conditions.

For more information check out:

Yours in Service,

The General