OTTAWA – On July 19, 2009, the Canadian Forces contingent of 270 personnel on their way to the Netherlands for the 93rd Nijmegen Marches will stop in France to hold a memorial ceremony at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on Vimy Ridge.
The visit to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the largest Canadian overseas war memorial, is sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion. It is part of the CF contingent's Nijmegen itinerary to commemorate the sacrifice of more than 66,000 Canadian service personnel who died during the First World War.
The parade will be addressed by: MGen. Mark McQuillan, CF Contingent Commander
Canadian military teams have taken part in the Internationale Vierdaagse Afstandmarsen Nijmegen [International Four-Day Marches Nijmegen] every year since 1952. During the four days of marching, which take place this year from July 21 to July 24, all military participants must walk 160 km while carrying a standard military pack weighing at least 10 kg. The Nijmegen Marches is also the world's largest walking event, attracting thousands of civilian participants as well as hundreds of other military teams. This year, the town of Nijmegen expects some 45,000 marchers from more than 50 nations and over a million spectators.
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Notes to news and assignment editors:
Media agencies can request interviews with Canadian Forces personnel in Nijmegen by contacting the Media Liaison Office at 866-377-0811 or 613-996-2353.
Imagery, information and stories on the Canadian Forces participation in the Nijmegen Marches will be posted on the CEFCOM Website at http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca
Canadian Forces Combat Camera posts B-roll video and still photos of the Nijmegen Marches at www.combatcamera.ca/news/ for B-roll and www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca for stills.
Information about the Canadian National Vimy Memorial is available on the Veterans Affairs Canada website at http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=memorials/ww1mem/Vimy&CFID=1937544&CFTOKEN=88837832
For more information on the Nijmegen Marches, visit the official website at http://www.4daagse.nl/index.php/en.html
