Winnipeg cadets commemorate battle of Vimy Ridge 98 years on

Nearly a century on, close to 100 cadets came together Saturday to commemorate those who fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War.

The battle took place at 5:30 a.m. on April 9, 1917. In the end, the ridge in France — which was occupied by German forces and thought to be impregnable — was taken, but there were thousands of casualties. About 3,600 Canadian soldiers died in just four days, while another 5,000 were wounded in battle.

And on Saturday afternoon, Winnipeg cadets between the ages of 12 and 18 marched around the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental Museum in the Minto Street and Armoury Avenue area to honour the lives those who died fighting at Vimy Ridge.

Michelle Claveau, a commanding officer with the Regional Cadet Support Unit, said the battle at Vimy Ridge helped influence and shape the country's national identity.

"It's a large, important part of our history, a sacrifice of Canadians, of sovereignty, our freedom and the values that we stand for in the Canadian cadet program — that is at the very core of what it's about," said Claveau.

Dalton McKay has been a cadet for the past four years. He said it was important for him to take part in Saturday's ceremony because it offered a chance to learn about veterans who fought to maintain Canadian values and freedoms.

"They risked their lives just knowing that they may or may not come back and that is important to know," said McKay. "That is honourable for a man to just risk his life just knowing he might never come back."

McKay, who is in his final year of eligibility as a cadet, said the program has been amazing and that he's loved every minute of it.

The event commemorated the 98th anniversary of the battle.