FF Challenge May 5th – To Honor

Flash Fiction

Welcome to this weeks challenge and my story. The picture this week proved to be a hard nut to crack. Finally it was the small flag, which I took to be a French flag, that lead me to a story.

Before we get to the story, first a thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this weekly event. Click her name to get more info on the challenge. Also thank you to Sandra Crook for the photo.

If you would like to read more stories, click HERE.

buildings ff May 5
PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

Far from the cafes and galleries of Paris, a kestrel hovers in the stark blue sky. Lost 100 years in the past, the deep-throated roar of battle pummels me. My eyes are assaulted by the devastation strewn across fields cleaved by trenches and mortar shells. After three days of battle 3,598 Canadians lay dead in the blood-soaked mud, 7,004 are wounded. The fledgling nation of Canada’s identity was forged in the blood and mud of France. Standing in the shadow of the Vimy Ridge Memorial, I adjust my uniform and wonder if needed would I be able to follow in their footsteps and honor them?

Word Count: 104

Canadian National Memorial
Canadian National Vimy Memorial

The history behind the story: April 9th 2017 was the 100 anniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge. Many historians credit the battle, the first time four divisions from across Canada fought together in WW1, with defining the nation of Canada which was only 50 years old at the time. France ceded 250 acres of preserved battlefield to Canada to honor those that fought and died in WW1. The breath taking Vimy Ridge Monument was unveiled in 1936. Interested in finding out more CLICK HERE.

 

Published by Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

I spent most of my career working for a marketing company in various roles. Since I "retired" several years ago I have spent my time crisscrossing North America with our four dogs.

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22 thoughts on “FF Challenge May 5th – To Honor”

  2. Great story, Cindy. Thanks for the link. My own dad was in the U.S. Navy during WWI. It hardly seems possible that it was 100 years ago. He was on an old battleship that was made into a troop transport ship. What a terrible shame and waste so many young lives were lost. Good writing. —- Suzanne

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. It was a terrible lost. The vast numbers lost during WW1 and WW2 are astounding.

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  3. Dear Cindy,

    I imagine every soldier questions himself going into battle. Good history lesson. Some things should never be forgotten, n’est-ce pas?.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Yes he did. I was trying to tie Flander’s Field into this story but couldn’t in 100 words. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.

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  6. More staggering numbers of lives lost. It goes without saying that those who gave their lives made a massive difference to the way the world is today, but I often wonder what contributions they would have made if they’d been allowed to live and reach their full potential. The question you raise is one I expect many of us have asked ourselves and been thankful we haven’t learned the true answer to.
    Touching and thought provoking – thank you.

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