Tag: New Book

New Book: Prologue Part 5

Battle of Vimy Ridge was a pivotal moment for Canada 108 years ago - Castanet.net

 

“Charlotte, look, there is even a torch bearer there. To you from falling hands we throw the torch be yours to hold it high.” I can still recite that poem Charlotte.

She smiled back at me and said in a faint voice:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

“I am proud of you sweetie. And I love you.”

“I love you too dad.”

“There must be thousands of people here Charlotte. Thousands.”

Not just Canadians. I could see Brits, French, both military and civilians. Dignitaries, big wigs, politicians, bands, and pipers. All forming up. A guard of honour from the Royal Canadian Navy was dressed and formed up in one spot. Dignitaries and very important people over here. Veterans with family members everywhere: perched over the base of the monument itself like ants on a hill. They also covered the entire broad slope of grass to the east – toward the Douai plain.

There is no formality for us, thank God. Just a casual but poignant dedication and remembrance. A Dais has been raised so I am sure that a ceremony and formal presentation have been planned.

“And look Charlotte, over there. That must be the centerpiece of the dedication ceremony.” To our left was a tall statue, covered in our national flag. There is no doubt that this statue is important to the site, as it is front and center overlooking the sloping lawn on the east side.

“Charlotte nodded. “You are right father. And look down there at the base. A stone tomb.”

Charlotte began to cry. She, like me, has been overcome with emotion.

“To an unknown soldier, left behind, representing all those who never came home and have no known graves. Only unto God they be known.”

A guard motioned us toward the steps on the south side of the monument. We decided to stay where we were, on the base of the monument facing the steps at the back facing west. I am sure that the King and other VIPs will enter from this direction. There were also thousands of veterans with their families as well as other Canadians who decided to make their way over here from Canada. Our view was strategic as we could see the entrance to the site, the base of the pylons, the covered centerpiece, and the thousands of spectators that walked down onto the lawn that sloped down and away from the monument. Here in the front and on the sides thousands of others were formed. In true Canadian fashion it was to be a very casual occasion, except for an honour guard from the Royal Canadian Navy. Great I thought. Appropriate for us that this dedication is going to be a Canadian event.

We fell in with the crowd and could see the guard of honour and the flagbearers. Standing at ease and facing north along the main road to the monument. It was an impressive remarkable sight. The significance of this day was not lost on Charlotte nor I, as well as the thousands of attendees gathered here today. Front and center they are, looking back at the glaringly impressive white limestone structure that faced the broad Douai plain. I could not have been prouder. This unbelievably beautiful structure symbolizes the Canadian accomplishment to have taken this ridge, when no other combatant, British or French, could.

But at what cost in human lives.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge: Canada’s Defining Moment in World War One - Stephen J Bedard

 

My books are available through Amazon.ca or Amazon.com. They would make great gifts, while supporting a Canadian author. Great reviews too.
www.johnmorrisonauthor.com       

 

 

New Book In The Works

I have started to write another book. Have not nailed down the title yet. Just finished the prologue. Here is an excerpt:

Arras, nord pas de calais, france Banque de photographies et d’images à haute résolution - Alamy

 

I cannot believe I am here. Yet here I am, standing here, safe, and secure in my own skin, looking out from the window and comfort of my room at the Grand Place Hotel in Arras, France. I am looking out and down and across to the wide, picturesque Cobblestone Square below. I shake my head in disbelief and awe as it looks so peaceful to me: quiet, primitive, and functionally beautiful in this early morning light on this clear, cloudless midsummer’s day.

 

As I look to my left, then to my right, and then straight ahead, I am amazed at how everything falls into place here. The buildings are neat and tidy: nothing like home, that’s for sure. I would hazard a guess that the buildings are of a European, Flemish-like design, common in these parts of France. Earth tones such as brown, rusty red, and muted orange have been introduced to the facades by the tradesmen to add variety and reduce the uniform gray appearance. The buildings share a uniform style, featuring rounded corners, cornices, and high-apex crowns. They rise to a stark contrast against the blue sky with a uniformity that is extremely impressive to me. Rising in this unvarying fashion from a foundation that includes continuous arches forming a long ground-level arcade, the buildings clearly serve a purpose. Obviously, this arcade acts as a transition from the business of each of the buildings to the open square. I would think it was by design. And considering the condition this place used to be in, it is likely based on old architectural plans or blueprints of the square. It offers shade from the hot July sun or shelter from frequent summer storms in this region. Protection for the common working-class folk of the city, as well as the professional class—or bourgeoisie, as they call those folk here.

 

One after the other, these buildings stand. Their distinct architectural lines—clean and functional on all sides—are broken by the ornate and impressive-looking Hotel de Ville,[1] with its grand baroque façade and impressive bell tower. I am amazed at the intricate stonework here. The stone masons of the day, who have restored these buildings from complete ruin, are true artists in my mind. Intricate carvings and chiseling that bring the stone to life. These craftsmen are not content to just throw them up as fast as possible, like we would do at home. No, no, no, as I shake my head in disbelief. All the windows, doors, and portals; the cornices, crowns, and gables have been constructed with acute care and precision, as if they were restoring a painting by Michelangelo. This is very impressive to me.

 

Yet all the facades are similar in style and placement on every one of these buildings, except the City Hall. To me, it seems as if this building—the Hotel de Ville, or Mairie, as they call it—emits a civil authority and forms the very core of the Grand Place of Arras. In some respects, at least in my way of thinking, its structure acts as a template for the adjoining buildings to take their shape and cue for their pattern and lines, cornices, and buttresses, all the while remaining true but subordinate to the design and functionality of the imposing City Hall. It is as if the Hotel de Ville resembles a stone “Queen Bee,” controlling the dictate from which the design of the other buildings takes shape. Side by side, they expand from the core of the Hotel de Ville to form all sides of the square—or the hive. They are identical but subordinate edifices that are inanimate, very narrow, and tall, and connected at their sides. I have heard, or have read somewhere, that by design they all share the same character and are constructed in an elaborate brick-and-mortar style. I would not know about that, but to me, as they stand there, as each entity makes up the whole, they resemble soldiers on parade. Or like sentinels who are protecting their “Queen.” At all costs.

‘Queen? Bee? C’mon, Kilian. Give your head a shake.’

[1] City Hall

I have rediscovered Al Stewart. He had a number of songs out in the late 70s. His songs tell a story and are highly descriptive in nature. This one: “Year of the Cat” came out in 1976. To me it is the perfect song: great lyrics, piano, acoustic guitar, strings, electric guitar and a haunting sax. Hope you like it.

I would love to receive some comments from you all.

SJ…Out.