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Commemorative Ceremony at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial, France
July 2, 2016
On July 2, 2016, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Canadian delegation participated in a commemorative ceremony at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial. This memorial stands on a small, well-tended site with beautiful greenery. On the granite block of the memorial is recorded the simple inscription: “The Canadian Corps bore a valiant part in forcing back the Germans on these slopes during the battles of the Somme Sept. 3rd - Nov. 18th 1916.” There are more than ten varieties of maple trees planted and tended to on the memorial site. Few bright colours in the gardens allow visitors to meditate and reflect on the monument’s somber message.
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Master Warrant Officer Stan Mercredi stands with the Eagle Staff: the traveling symbol of unity among all Aboriginal Peoples in the defence community. MWO Mercredi and the Eagle Staff participated in ceremonies at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial and the Courcelette Canadian Memorial in France in recognition of the 100th anniversaries of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 2
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Ceremony of Remembrance at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 3
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Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Kent Hehr and Canadian Ambassador Lawrence Cannon lay a wreath for Canada at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial in France.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 4
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Parks Canada First World War interpretors hold flowers for the public to lay at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial. Interpretors participated in ceremonies at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial and the Courcelette Canadian.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 5
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“Monument canadien” signs show visitors to Northern France where to find Canadian Memorials.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 6
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Chief Petty Officer First Class Michael Miller and Lieutenant-commander Jennifer Gosse, Canadian Armed Forces Padre walk to the Knightsbridge War Cemetery close to Beaumont-Hamel. Padre Gosse's great uncle, Private John Frampton died at Beaumont-Hamel on July 1, 1916, and is buried in the Knights Bridge Cemetery.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 7
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Lieutenant-commander Jennifer Gosse, Canadian Armed Forces Padre prays over the grave of her great-uncle, Private John Frampton. Padre Gosse is the first member of her family to visit the grave of her great-uncle.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 8
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Canadian youth delegate Sarah Mack makes a presentation on Victoria Cross recipient John Chipman Kerr at the Courcelette British Cemetery in France.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 9
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Canadian youth delegate Rachel Moss visits the grave of a First World War soldier at the Courcelette British Cemetery.
(Photo: Julien Faure)Photo 10
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Canadian Veteran Michael Martin at the Courcelette British Cemetery.
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