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Day 8 – The end of the road and runway...

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As I sit here in Montreal waiting for our connecting flight I thought it would be best to finish this thing off…well It’s not really done because along with your help I am going to have to hassle a few people for pics and write ups for their vets to go on the blog to really cement this whole affair.  Overall we have had a once in a lifetime experience, each and every one of us.   Each time when I write this blog I will always state that fact…but this time it really was…VIMY 100!!!   I still haven’t completely processed what we have just done….we travelled a great distance to celebrate the lives of people we didn’t know, that is what I find really awesome about this.   The travel alone, in my mind, is a great learning experience for kids who can sometimes have trouble seeing outside their own personal bubbles.   They meandered their way through airports, subways, big cities and large crowds…with great success I might add.   But more importantly they started the journey of remembran
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Day 7 - 100 years past, present and future....

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A ONCE IN A LIFETIME...WAIT THERE WILL NEVER BE A VIMY 100 AGAIN Well sir…..what a day!!!   I am sure that many of you have watched, from the cool comfort of your homes, the Vimy 100 celebrations.   The other thing you had over us was that you were able to show up at 11 AM or maybe as early as 10:59 PM, and not be within shuttle distance by 10 and onsite by 11ish.   But I do believe our seats were better than yours!!!   A LITTLE HOTTER I SUSPECT, BUT OVERALL BETTER…. Vimy Day….. I wanted to let the kids write about their experiences and I will reflect on mine a little later...overall it was a great day and even though I am really on Day 8 because we just got in from the Eiffel Tower and a day of touring Paris...so here goes...you will enjoy!!! Emily Rossiter             The Vimy 100 anniversary started around 5:30 AM for me, approximately the time when the soldiers started to charge into no mans land. I remember waking up and thinking about how sca
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Day 6 - Thelus and much much more....

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Today we get our first look at the Vimy memorial from a distance as we are on our way to Thelus.    I know this area as good as anywhere in Europe, along the N17 and in through the beautiful little town of Thelus.    Each time I come my mood changes the closer I get....this morning getting ready I had to catch my breath because I could feel the emotions welling up inside me.    The best I can do is say that this man who the kids are about to meet has changed my life.    I owe him a great deal of gratitude....my teaching career was completely changed and what I have become known for is all thanks to Charles John Clue, a man I have never met but have so much in common with.    Today has been a day I have thought about for the past 10 years, I have dreamt of having an entire cemetery full of people and a grandiose celebration for these men in this cemetery.    I told the kids to dream big and even if the dream is not realized to a "T" it’s not considered a failure...what
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