Reflections

In Canada we celebrate our birthday on July 1st calling it Canada Day. It is a time for parties and music and reflection. It is also Memorial Day in the province of Newfoundland. In the first World War, Newfoundland was not a part of Canada. The regiment of the Dominion of Newfoundland faced the German machine guns at Beaumont-Hamel in France, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The regiment was almost decimated. Today marks the 100 year anniversary of that battle. In France there is a Memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives that day.

    

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Veterans Affairs Canada Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Caribou statue, Newfoundland Regiment Memorial, Beaumont-Hamel
For the Newfoundland Regiment on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme and World War I Newfoundland forces members whose graves are unknown.
Unveiled	7 June 1925
Location	50°04′25″N 02°38′53″E  near Beaumont-Hamel, France
Designed by	Rudolph Cochius (landscape) Basil Gotto (memorial)
Total commemorated	814
To the Glory of God and in perpetual remembrance of those officers and men of the Newfoundland Forces who gave their lives by Land and Sea in the Great War and who have no known graves.

     I think today about how thankful I am that I am Canadian. With so much that is unsettling going on in the world, I am glad I live in in this country. I am glad that I live in Nova Scotia too. Canada certainly has it problems, as all countries do, but yesterday the President of Mexico, the President of the United States and our Prime Minister stood together as leaders of 3 countries, who in friendship and respect, met and peacefully discussed their mutual interests and concerns. How unique in this time of upheaval, hatred, bitterness and alienation.