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Local cadet experiences battle tour

Relevance of Canadian presence in First World War reiterated during battle tour
Catherine Kroeker, cadets
Kroeker plays "The Last Post" on a bugle at a small graveyard in the middle of a farmer's field in Belgium. The bugle was brought by a senior officer from England's Royal Green Jackets. Photo submitted.

 

An overwhelming sense of pride ran over Catherine Kroeker during the singing of 'O Canada' at the Vimy Ridge Ceremony in France earlier this year. 

Catherine, who was the lone cadet representing Saskatchewan during the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Battle Week tour in May, spoke with the Mercury regarding her overseas trip. 

"Some of my family actually fought in Vimy Ridge in 1917 and 1918," Catherine said. "I kind of reconnected with my roots." 

Not only did she re-establish a strong connection with her family's past, but also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of Canada's presence at Vimy Ridge. 

"If the First World War didn't happen, if the PPCLI didn't happen at all, the outcome of the war would have probably been very different, and not for the better," she said. 

Kroeker travelled with other cadet members from across Canada to France and Belgium to participate in various memorial events. Cadets participated in an illustrated battlefield walk and the unveiling of a refurbished memorial to the Battle of Frezenberg. They also participated in a Freedom of the City Parade in Ypres, and an evening service at Menin Gate in Belgium. 

In total, the cadets visited 37 historical sites. 

Other stand-out moments, including a visit to a charming chocolate shop in Ypres, Belgium, only added to the positive experience. 

"The guy running the store instantly knew we were Canadian and he gave us a huge discount," she said. 

Estevan's Cadet Commanding Officer, Craig Bird, said Catherine was one of four cadets from the local cadet unit whose name was submitted to be chosen by the PPCLI for the trip overseas, which was organized in honour of the regiment being formed. The PPCLI serves as a sponsoring unit for the local cadets. 

Catherine's excellence within the cadets over the years resulted in her selection by the PPCLI. 

Bird said the formation of the PPCLI in the First World War is extremely important, but it’s history isn't resonating as strongly as it should with today's youth. 

"This was when Canada was coming into its own," Bird said. "Until then, we were labeled as a subdivision of the British Empire." 

He noted it was at this time when Canada put forth a significant number of soldiers, which solidified Canada's presence in the war. 

"Canada showed it can be a military power at that time, and we stopped entire regiments to defend our realm … it was a big turning point for Canada," he said. "For young people nowadays, it's something that is being lost. Our veterans are disappearing at a staggering rate, and our youngest veterans are well into their 80s and 90s, so we're losing a lot of that history." 

He said tours like the one Catherine participated in are invaluable. 

"Anytime we can educate the kids and send them out to show that Canada had a big presence in the First World War and the Second World War, and that a lot of sacrifices were made, the memories of our veterans and their sacrifices live on that much longer." 

Catherine said her next goal is to become a staff member at the Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre in British Columbia, where she took part in a two-week expedition instructor course in September 2014.