War Memorial Tour of Europe

A humbling experience

War Memorial Tour of Europe-a humbling experience

In May 2016 I had the honour of hosting the Edmonton Transit Pipe & Drum Band along with the Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion on a European War Memorial Tour of Holland, Belgium and France. My teenage son Sam was allowed to accompany me on the tour. The photo of us was taken at Normandy, France.

At each Memorial the Edmonton Transit Pipe & Drum played. Two of the highlights of the trip were when the Band played at Mennen Gate and Vimy Ridge. Standing in a Canadian cemetery while a lone Bagpiper played Amazing Grace was a very moving moment in time. When we arrived into Dieppe, the Mayor and the townspeople closed the street and had a parade that we participated in.

Looking back at that War Memorial trip was an incredible experience that was made extra special because my teenage son got to witness firsthand the tremendous sacrifice that hundreds of thousands of men & women endured for our country. The trip was so much more than I ever imagined.