By Diane Crocker
SaltWire Journalist
Later this week we’ll celebrate Canada Day and this country’s 155th birthday.
This time last year as the country mourned the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at former residential school sites there were some, as you’ll see in my first story this week, who felt it wasn’t right to celebrate a country where such a tragedy could occur.
I wonder, has that feeling changed or do people still think there isn’t anything to celebrate?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also designated as Memorial Day to honour the soldiers in the 1st Newfoundland Regiment who lost their lives during the First World War at Beaumont-Hamel in France on July 1, 1916.
At 9:15 a.m. on July 1, 2016, 758 soldiers and 23 officers began their advance on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Just a half hour later, 85 per cent of the force was either dead or wounded.
On July 2, 1916, just 68 men reported for roll call.
As you celebrate or reflect on our country’s history on Friday, take time to also remember the men who did not make that roll call.
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