April 9th is a special memorial day for the Canadians who fought and died at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Nord-pas-de-Calais region of France. Legion president for Branch 65 in Portage la Prairie Bob Oldford was with Portage la Prairie mayor Irvine Ferris, and cadets who will be traveling to the site in France this May, as the mayor signed a proclamation of the important anniversary of the battle.

"It's the hundredth anniversary of Vimy Ridge. Perhaps the Battle itself has been named the beginning of Canada as a nation," explains Oldford. "Brigadier General Ross said, 'In these first few moments I witnessed the birth of a nation.'"

(L-R standing) Captain Sean Robertshaw, Lieutenant Glenn Arksey, Master Bombardier Alexander, Master Bombardier Arksey, Master Bombardier Patterson, Sergeant Doan, Warrant Officer Latimer, Captain Terrence Henry. (Sitting L-R) Legion Branch 65 Service Officer Daniel Boyse, Mayor Irvine Ferris, Legion Branch 65 President Bob Oldford (photo by Mike Blume)

Oldford notes it's one of the first battles Canada engaged in, with four battalions who came together to fight in World War I. Oldford says 3,598 died and 7,000 were wounded over the four-day period from April 9 to 12.

Mayor Irvine Ferris adds, "This is significant, obviously for our country, but also for our city and for Manitoba. We had people from Portage that served and fought there, and a lot of people from Manitoba who served and fought there and died there. So, this is important that we continue to remember and continue to recognize this event."

Oldford notes, "Memorial services will take place in France this year, and it's important we declare as a legion and citizens that Vimy Ridge is an important day for us."

French women selling apples and oranges to the troops returning from the front line in June 1917. (Submitted photo)

Special memorial service takes place at the cenotaph on Saskatchewan Avenue in Portage la Prairie on Sunday, April 9th, at 2:00 p.m.