Those attending the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sudbury Arena today were able to check out a fire truck emblazoned to raise awareness of the impending 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
With the support of local businesses, the Sudbury Professional Firefighters Association wrapped one of the city's fire trucks with graphics that are representative of Vimy Ridge.
The wrap will be left on until Remembrance Day 2017.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War.
The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army.
The battle, which took place from April 9-12, 1917, was part of the opening phase of the British-led Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.
The Canadians suffered 10,602 casualties in the battle – 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded.
“Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge a defining moment for Canada,” said information on a Facebook site about the Vimy 100 firetruck.
“This is when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness; Canadian troops had earned themselves a reputation of formidability and efficacy. Despite this, the victory came at a terrible cost; with more than 10,000 killed and wounded.”
As part of the project, Sudbury firefighters are raising money to support Wounded Warriors Canada. Check out the GoFundMe page.
Although donations of any denomination are welcomed, individuals who make a donation will receive a 2.5-inch poppy sticker for a donation between $5 and $100, or a 4” poppy sticker for donations upwards of $100.
They can then write their name, organization, or simply a thank you and place the poppy on the lower portion of the fire truck, allowing for an interactive experience.
