“Extremely proud to be a Canadian and proud to be a Canadian soldier.”

Those words from Corporal Francis Roller after he visited the Canadian National Vimy Memorial this week in France.

Corporal Roller, an air surveillance and datalink instructor with 51 Aerospace Control and Warning (Operational Training) Squadron at 22 Wing CFB North Bay, will be a part of the honour guard at the ceremony April 9th marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

He says touring the monument, among the craters created by artillery fire and mines, and seeing all the names of Canadian solders who died on the battlefield was quite the moving experience.

“The feeling you get, being (at) the monument, looking over either side of the ridge, it can’t be put into words,” Cpl Roller says.

Since he arrived they’ve visited the memorial, toured battle grounds and have been conducting drill practice ahead of the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary.

Including the band there are about 300 military members taking part in the honour guard.

He says being on parade involves a wide variety of drill movements.

“Marching, standing at attention, standing at ease, fixing and unfixing bayonets, the general salute and the ‘feu de joie’, which is described as a running fire of guns,” Corporal Roller added.

He previously said he was honoured to be involved. “When I was first told that I had been chosen to be a part of the guard that will be on parade at Vimy Ridge I was beyond excited. To actually be on parade and pay my respects to those who fought before me is an absolute honour and a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Corporal Roller says for anyone who can’t be there in France, and is interested in learning more, they can visit the Canadian Forces Facebook page.

Here is the full interview with Corporal Roller:

 

Several dignitaries will also be at the ceremony.

They include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, as well as Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and General Jonathan Vance, Chief of Defence Staff for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Filed under: 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Canadian Armed Forces