Media Advisory: Launch of tour to help Canadian students preserve the memory of Vimy Ridge

Posted on: 03/12/2010

Media Advisory: Launch of tour to help Canadian students preserve the memory of Vimy Ridge

EF Educational Tours invites you to join them at the Canadian War Museum for the launch of the Vimy Ridge 95th Anniversary National Student Remembrance Tour. In April 2012 thousands of Canadian students will be embarking on this journey of remembrance, reflection and personal growth as they make the pilgrimage to Vimy Ridge for the 95th Anniversary ceremonies. Led by retired teacher Dave Robinson and EF Educational Tours, students are now beginning their research to prepare for the journey.

The backdrop setting for the launch will be the stunning model figures for the Canadian National Vimy Memorial created by sculptor Walter Allward to commemorate this monumental event in Canada’s history.

Monday, December 6, 2010
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Canadian War Museum, LeBreton Gallery
Ottawa, Ontario

The official program will begin at 5:45 p.m., and run approximately 40 minutes. A media feed box and risers will be available.

Ottawa-area students, teachers and veterans, along with government officials, will attend the launch, which will demonstrate the value of “experiential learning” and bringing textbooks to life.

Speakers will include:

• The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs
  
• Ian Lockhart, Grade 12 Student at John McCrae Secondary School, Ottawa
  
• Dave Robinson, retired history teacher from Port Perry and National Student Tour Leader
  
• David Houghton, President and Director, The Vimy Foundation
  
• Mark O’Neill, Director General, Canadian War Museum.

The President and Director of the Vimy Foundation will be encouraging student entries for the 2011 Beaverbrook Vimy Prize. This annual scholarship brings together youth from Canada, the United Kingdom and France so that they can better appreciate the intertwined history of their three nations and come to understand the bravery and sacrifice demanded in times of war.

The launch program will also feature highlights of the National Student Tour to Remember Victory in Europe held in May 2010. Students and teachers from six Ottawa-area schools joined 2,400 students and teachers from across Canada and travelled to Europe, participating in ceremonies around the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe and the Liberation of the Netherlands. 

Interview and photo opportunities are available at the event, or at other times convenient for media outlets. To arrange an interview, or if you have questions, please contact:
EF Educational Tours information:

Greg Owen
Telephone: 416 557-6936 
greg.owen@ef.com

Canadian War Museum information: