A Remembrance Day Message from UTILITYnet
On the evening of April 22nd, 1915, German forces made their first use of chlorine gas in an attack on Allied forces at the Second Battle of Ypres. Without proper gas masks, and unable to withstand the chemical attack, French forces were forced to retreat, leaving a gaping hole in the Allied line. The Germans advanced but only gained slightly more ground as their soldiers were leery of the gas as well and had limited forces for advancement.
Had the German advance succeeded, many Allied forces would have been put in serious jeopardy. The Calgary 10th Battalion was ordered to close the gap, and achieved their goal but with serious losses. Of the 800 soldiers who fought through the night and into the next day, only 200 survived. A large number of the 600 casualties included Calgarian soldiers, who only months before, had been but mere civilians. It is for this reason that so many of the crosses in the Field of Crosses bear the date: 23-04-15.
Their sacrifice at the Battle of Ypres bought Allied forces precious time, and provided a chance for reinforcements to arrive and close the gap. This was the first Canadian battle of World War I and the brave Canadian soldiers earned their reputation as a fierce fighting company.
Ways to Show Your Support this Remembrance Day
This year, due to COVID-19, Remembrance Day looks a little different than it usually does. From now until November 11th, Canadians can access MyPoppy.ca to download a virtual poppy. Your virtual poppy can be personalized with your name and the dedication of your choosing. You can also make a donation to the Legion National Foundation, which supports initiatives that further Veterans’ health and wellness, connect youth and children to the contributions of Veterans, and provide students with scholarships and bursaries to pursue their education.
The Remembrance Day ceremony at the Field of Crosses will be broadcast live by Global Calgary, and only those taking part in the ceremony will be allowed in the park during the ceremony. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa will continue, although spectators are discouraged from attending in person. Instead, the ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook.
UTILITYnet Office Closure
Everyone has stories of parents or relatives who experienced hardship during the war. Share your stories with us. Here is an example from one of the owners of our company.
Remembrance Day is important to our family, as it is to many others. My grandfather fought in the trenches of Vimy Ridge during WWI, Uncle Andy served in the Royal Navy in the North Atlantic during WWII, and another uncle was in the British Airforce.
Just like so many young men, our Uncle Bob enlisted at the age of 18 when the war broke out. As an RCAF pilot, he was posted to Transportation Command in the U.K. where he flew DC-3 aircraft, took part in the Battle of Arnhem, carried out missions, and transported heavy war supplies and cargo into Europe. One of those many missions was to deliver nothing more than a small package/envelope to a specific location in Brussels. Our mother, now in her very late 90’s, has been fortunate to have the financial support of the Veterans pension that has helped her out in a small way over the years as the widow of a war veteran.
In respect and in remembrance of all veterans who so bravely fought for the freedoms we enjoy today, we have always closed our office on November 11th and encouraged staff to take the time with their families and children to visit one of the cenotaphs or ceremonies.
Our office will resume operations on November 12th.