The Power of Names and a Monument

There it was — the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. It was a feeling of awe and amazement for me to look at a beacon of Canadian history. This was the moment that I was waiting for during our entire trip. It was only the second time anyone in my family had visited the place where my great grandfather’s name stands. Walking up to the base of the monument gave me chills of how powerful it is and what it represents. I laid a wreath at the base of the twin pylons after our group said a prayer for those who names are etched on the monument. Afterwards the teachers helped me look for my great grandfather’s name. I began to get nervous when we could not find his name. It took five to ten minutes until I was called over and finally, I saw it: F Hobson V.C. 

My great grandfather was a Sergeant from the Canadian Expeditionary Force who was killed in action on August 18^th, 1917, and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for his actions during the Battle of Hill 70. Hill 70 is about twenty-minute drive from the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. It was a mixture of both excitement that I found his name but chills when I saw his etched name for the first time. I was happy and proud to have found his engraved name for my family and to be able to take photos. I brought back my own etching of his name to frame. While I was excited, happy, and proud, I did not expect the shiver down my spine. It took so long to find his name because of how many names are on the monument. I experienced a powerful feeling of sadness at the number of names. On the other hand, to see all the names on the monument and pay respects was fulfilling and meaningful to me to recognize all 11,285 missing soldiers whose bodies were never found that bravely served our country. 

While his name will remain forever in France, I will never lose that feeling of connection that I experienced when placing my hand next to his name and how I will always be able to feel connected to him with the etching of his name that I now have. After taking in everything and looking at the surroundings around the monument and battlefield it lay on, I said my goodbyes and continued our journey further south into France. I will never forget what an honour it was to visit Canada’s National War Memorial at Vimy and the memories of seeing my great grandfather’s name and the area where he died in battle. The trip is something I will always remember.