Day 3 - 183 -- Celebrations and Remembrance

A day to celebrate and remember -- today was Canada Day and marked the 149th year since confederation.  I watched part of the celebration from Parliament Hill between cleaning tasks. It was great to see so many people on the Hill for the day. A small group got together here for some nibblies and champagne before we went to the town fireworks display. We met other friends there. The show did not disappoint - there were a few new designs this year -- some happy faces, hearts and words -- along with the usual great floral like designs. The temperature was hot during the day but the evening was a perfect temperature with next to no wind -- made just for fireworks.

Today began as Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, with Canada Day celebrations later in the day. It was on this day 100 years ago that the Battle of the Somme began at Beaumont Hamil in France. The First Newfoundland Regiment (later the Royal Newfoundland Regiment) numbered about 778 men at this point. These men were among the nearly 1000 volunteers from the Dominion of Newfoundland (population abut 240,000). This group was the third and final wave over the top of the trenches on that fateful morning. They left at 9:15 AM and the battle ended by 9:45 AM. During that 30 minute period, the regiment suffered a devastating 91% casualty rate -- about half of whom were dead and the other half injured. When the role was called, only 68 men answered. This loss forever changed the island that would join Canada in 1949. A generation was lost. A small piece of the battle field is owned by Newfoundland and includes a memorial to those lost that day a century ago. The regiment was known as the 'blue puttees', for the colour of their leg bindings, since there was a shortage of khaki material at the time.

I have two songs to share today. The first is an upbeat song about the nation, sung by a modern troubadour. The video features many scenes from across Canada. The second is a song of remembrance for the Newfoundlanders sung by a well known group from 'the rock.' Enjoy!

Canada Is -- Roger Whittaker

Recruiting Sergeant -- Great Big Sea