A delegation from France recently visited Cape Breton, walking in the footsteps of a Maritime soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice at Vimy Ridge.
The group made it their mission to preserve his memory by taking a 20 day walk to John Arsenault's home community.
Arsenault was a coal miner from Cheticamp and lied about his age to enlist in the 85th Canadian Battalion during the First World War.
He died in the battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, one of more than 11,000 Canadians who died in France with no known grave.
The group met members of Arsenault's family during their travels in Cape Breton, making connections to last a lifetime and learning more about where he was from.
"We visited the mine where he worked, and we visited the street where he lived with his mother," says Catherine Staniszewski of Odyssee de la Culture.
They also walked through the cobblestone streets of Fortress Louisbourg on their travels.
"They are here to live a bit the life of one soldier, who was from here back then,” says Julie Cossette of Parks Canada. “It's very impressive to see the walk they are doing."
After leaving Cape Breton, the delegation will head to Great Britain and then back home to France, where they will be joined by members of Arsenault's family for the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
"I imagine when we are going to arrive in Givenchy-en-Gohelle, there's a very big picture of John Arsenault on the wall,” says Staniszewski.
While they are following Arsenault's footsteps, they say they are doing this to remember all Canadians who lost their lives at Vimy.
"In France, we all appreciate the sacrifice your nation made in the First World War,” says Staniszewski. “It was important for us to do something to honour you."
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald
