WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
JULY 2, 2014
1 8 9 5
Festa photos Page 2
Vol. 119, Issue 101
105
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Statue stands as a reminder of First World War contributions 100th anniversary of the shot that started the ‘War to End All Wars’ BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Throughout the year, a true champion in the Home of Champions holds his ground in the centre of downtown Trail to honour 175 local men killed in conflicts from the First World War to Vietnam. The effigy of the unknown First World War soldier was unveiled in 2009 during Trail’s Nov. 11 Cenotaph ceremonies, and with the world commemorating the 100th anniversary of an incident that triggered the outbreak of the First World War, the statue took on special meaning again last week. On June 28, 1914 while riding in a motorcade through the streets of Sarajevo, Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were shot and killed by a
TIMES PHOTO
The unknown soldier remains a reminder of lives lost on the battle field a century ago.
lone Bosnian-Serb assassin. The murders set off a chain of events throughout the month of July, 1914, when the AustroSerbian situation escalated to include European world powers and the “War to End All Wars,” today referred to by historians as World War 1. Trail Mayor Dieter Bogs and the Trail Legion’s past president took a moment to reflect on the statue’s symbolism in the Silver City and the role the unknown Canadian soldier played in the “Great War.” “This really was a turning point for our country,” said Rob Reilly, six-year president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11. “Everybody in the community was involved in some way, and when you look at the size of Trail and the number of men who volunteered for service, it was phenomenal,” he continued. “When the men left, the women went to work at Cominco, and everyone became part of it. “So much of Canada’s history started with the First World War,” said Reilly. The statue represents the thousands of Canadians who fought and quietly returned to the country or died overseas without accolade. “Not everyone came back or died with a bunch of medals and recognition,” he explained. “They were a bunch of nobodies and that’s where the term unknown soldier comes from. Because it was these people who took the brunt of war.” The Cenotaph statue is an opportunity for our residents to show their respect and gratitude and to educate the community, noted the mayor. “In particular the young people of our area, about war and its importance,” said Bogs. “When you look at the number of residents who were enlisted in the First World War and Second World War from this area, it touches everyone.”
TRAIL TIMES PHOTO
The Canadian flag flies high above Trail and in the hearts and minds of Canadians across the country during Tuesday’s Canada Day events.
Canada Day reflections Festa Italiana provided opportunity to reflect on Canadian culture too BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
While visitors sat and enjoyed spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and gelato at the weekend’s Festa Italiana, they reflected on what it meant to be a Canadian and what Canada Day meant to them, whether a native Canadian or immigrant. Anita Bressanutti moved to Canada nearly 75 years ago from Italy when she was just 10 years old. Arriving in a new country was a scary thing at first for her, but she found her stride very quickly.
“When I got here, it was a little bit traumatic, but everybody was kind, helpful and in just a few weeks I discovered I could speak English,” she said, adding she extended the same helping hand to those that came to Canada from Italy after her. “I have to say, I have never been discriminated against throughout my schooling and after when I went to work at the bank, it was good that I knew Italian, so I could be helpful to people that came over.” Born in Italy, Bressanutti appreciates her heritage, but also celebrates Canada as her home. “As far as Canada goes, it doesn't matter where you were born,” she said. “I have a lot of relatives [in Italy] I keep in
touch with and it's a beautiful country, but I came to another beautiful country. I wouldn't even think about going back there to live. I am Canadian now.” For Eileen Peterson, Canada Day was a time to reflect on the sacrifices and hardships her predecessors had to go through when they first arrived in this vast country. “For me, there is a sense of celebration of [the immigrants] and the tough times [they went through] to make it easier here for me,” she said. “I didn't have to face wars, I didn't have to be a refugee and cross the ocean, I didn't have to work for $16 a month on a farm. For me, that is what I honour.” See WE, Page 3
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