Veronica Morin and Steven Ross hold the SFNVA flag. Photo courtesy Sask First Nations Veterans Association – SFNVA – Trip to Vimy France, Facebook.
Fundraising by the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association has brought a deep understanding of the sacrifices and costs of war to a group of about 20 people.
The Saskatchewan group of First Nations veterans and family members has spent the past week and a half travelling museums and historic battlegrounds in France and Belgium, including the Normandy, Juno and Omaha beaches, toting a SFNVA flag to raise and take photos with as they travel.
The group took part in the centennial events of the fateful battle at Vimy Ridge on a sunny, warm Sunday at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Royals were present.
Having thousands of people there at once had an emotional and educational impact, SFNVA Grand Chief Steven Ross said over the phone from Belgium on Monday.
“So many died, so many suffered. It’s really unbelievable until you hear about it from the people themselves. So absolutely, this trip is worthwhile,” he said.
The following day, they visited cemeteries that act as the final resting place for hundreds of First Nations soldiers. Among them is Mistawasis man Harvey Dreaver, who rose to the ranks of Sergeant in World War II and was key in the liberation of Belgium. After his death, he was honoured with the high medal of bravery from the Belgian government.
The SNFVA group overseas. Photo courtesy Sask First Nations Veterans Association – SFNVA – Trip to Vimy France, Facebook.
This week marks the first time a group representing Dreaver’s lineage was escorted to his grave to hold a small ceremony acknowledging his sacrifice.
Veronica Morin was among those who spoke in the ceremony, which was captured on video posted on the group’s Facebook page. The young widow wiped her eyes and sniffled as she thanked the group for allowing her to come on the trip.
“It was a real eye-opener to see what it’s like for husbands to come fight in another country, and being far from my kids I can only imagine what our husbands went through, missing our families and our children. My oldest being a daddy’s boy, I know my husband missed our boys a lot. So it really means a lot to come,” she said.
She said it was important not to forget those still fighting in foreign countries.
Morin was among those who laid wreathes in a Last Post Ceremony in Ypres, Belgium where the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Kent Hehr was also present.
The group of 20 veterans and family members start their return to Canada on Wednesday after more than a week touring France and Belgium.