Testimonials

• Dan Lévesque - 2002
• Frank Durnford - 2002
• Maryanne Lewell - 1997,1998, 1999, 2002
• Greg Kolz - 2001, 2002
• Jessica Whitford - 2002

"It's all about putting the history in context, and bringing it into the present. Vets have told me on more than one occasion to try and keep the stories alive. That's what this tour has done for me, it's made Dieppe and Normandy come alive. Now it's up to me to make it come alive for others."
-Maryanne Lewell- (Vimy, Fall 1997-98, Spring 1999, Beaumont-Hamel, Spring 1998, Le Mémorial Caen-Normandie, Summer 2002)

Dan Lévesque

"Working in France gave me an opportunity to question myself about the absurdity and meaning of war and why those young men went far away from home to fight. It gave me a chance to think about my world and also about their world at that time."

Memorial Site(s) Worked At:
Beaumont-Hamel - Fall 2002

Education/Career:
Masters degree in theology and religious science. Working on a Masters degree in philosophy.

Benefits of the Program:

• The Student Guide Program gave me the opportunity to work with other Canadians from all across the country. I was also a French-Canadian in France and most of my tours were in English, so I really practised my English.
• Living with guides from both sites created obstacles to overcome, but overall it was a super experience.

Educational Experience:

I learned about the history of Canadians who fought in France and about First World War history every day. I learned the way of life of people in the north of France. I also learned about myself, about my capacity to work in the public and also to work with others.

Highlights:

Almost every day was a highlight. Every day brought new things, new tourists, and lots of fun working with the other guides. Although, one event that definitely stands out is the ceremony that we had for Remembrance Day.

Typical Day in France:

Going to work, got out to do some rollerblading or go to a little gym near our house, or just relax. Sometimes we went to see a movie or to a local bar. Sometimes I would spend my time doing little things like laundry and going to the market. On my days off, I tried to do some travelling. I went to Belgium a few times, and to other places in the north of France.

Frank Durnford

"I think all of the guides shared the same profound respect for the site and its history. Every day I found myself humbled and moved by its peace and beauty."

"While it was challenging, I never ever really felt like I was working because I enjoyed it so much. You have the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people while sharing a remarkable story and so every day is unique."

Memorial Site(s) Worked At:
Beaumont-Hamel - Summer 2002

Education:
BA, Joint Honours in English and French. Finishing Law school.

Educational Experience:

Upon my arrival at the site, I knew very little of First World War history. While working at the site, this changed drastically. Every day was a learning experience, from my first day of training to the day I left. I found myself engrossed in historical texts, war diaries, personal memoirs, photos and family history; each adding a new dimension to the learning process.

Highlights:

• Meeting two First World War veterans from Britain was a very humbling experience.
• Singing "O Canada" with my fellow guides during the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate will stay with me forever. I have never felt so proud to be Canadian as I did at that moment.

Typical Day in France:

There are no "typical" days in France. From the weather to the visitors, you never really know what to expect.

Maryanne Lewell

"Absolutely without a doubt one of the most positive and influential experiences of my life.It is an incredible place, and one that makes you so proud to be Canadian just to stand there. It's hallowed ground. Being exposed to that feeling is life-altering. And I wouldn't change a second of it."

Memorial Site(s) Worked At:
Vimy - Fall 1997, Winter 1997-1998, Spring 1999
Beaumont-Hamel - Spring 1998
Le Mémorial Caen-Normandie - Summer 2002

Education/Career:
Teaching in the Departments of Languages and Social Studies at Saint John
High School in Saint John, finishing MA thesis at UNB part-time.

Fondest Memory:

I think my fondest memories are of the camaraderie that exists between guides. I am still in contact with several of the people I met during my various contracts overseas, both Francophone and Anglophone from various different parts of the country.

Educational Influence:

I didn't really know anything about Vimy before I went, as I admit freely, so I had a lot to learn when I arrived. Even then, I didn't really start to pick up knowledge until after Remembrance Day. How can you see Remembrance Day at Vimy Ridge and not be touched? I started to read literature surrounding the war. All winter and through the spring I started in with the popular history, and when I came back home I decided to do my Master's in the area of First World War literature... a big jump from Jane Austen, which was the original plan.

Visitors to the sites seemed to delight in asking the most obscure questions in order to test our knowledge, so I learned a lot, quickly, and it stuck with me. Ask my students how easy it is to get me sidetracked by the mere mention of the First World War. It's becoming comical.

Highlights:

• The bagpipes on Remembrance Day at Vimy.
• Beaumont-Hamel on a spring morning in the dew.
• Vimy in November, when you can't see the monument from the road but as you walk up the limestone path it suddenly jumps out at you.
• Most importantly, hanging out with the guides, who are close to the coolest people in the country.

Greg Kolz

"Living and working in France on behalf of VAC was truly a life experience. As a battlefield interpreter , I was able to see and appreciate first-hand much of what I had only ever been able to learn about in text books prior to working overseas. The people that I interacted with on a daily basis, made this a truly enriching experience. This job taught me a great deal about what it means to be Canadian, and it also allowed me to share that pride with others."

Memorial Site(s) Worked At:
Beaumont Hamel- Fall 2001
Vimy- Summer 2002

Education/Career:
Working on Political Science and Canadian History Degrees

Educational Influence:

Living in France allowed me to better my understanding and appreciation of not only the First World War, but also the history and geography of France itself. Being faced with new and often times challenging situations also helped me grow as a person, by forcing me to adapt and better my skills in a variety of different areas. This is a truly unique job in that it allows you to teach others, while at the same time learn a great deal more about yourself.

Typical Day in France:

Giving tours which consisted of anywhere from 1-50 people, and the ages varied from young school children to veterans of the Great War, and answering a variety of questions pertaining to the First World War, as well as the local geography.

Highlights:

• Greeting and guiding special dignitaries from Canada and around the world.
• Giving a guided tour of Beaumont-Hamel that was later televised nation-wide in Canada.
• Interpreting each site for Canadians who had relatives who'd fought, and in some cases died there.
• Helping visitors trace and locate their deceased ancestors.
• Seeing, and being a part of a site that very few people here in Canada ever have the privilege of visiting.

Jessica Whitford

"I developed new relationships and gained valuable work and life experience that I would never have found with a job in Canada."

Memorial Site(s) Worked At:
Vimy- Fall 2002

Education/Career:
Student, University of Calgary, Fine Arts/Kinesiology, dance major

Educational Influences:

I learned how different people's reactions can be to a war memorial. We had visitors of all ages and background which affected not only their perception of the site but how I interpreted the information to them. I learned that some people wanted only to build their knowledge about the technical side of war, while others were there to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Atmosphere:

My co-workers held a deep respect for the site and though we had fun working together, we always kept a serious and respectful attitude for the place we worked. The site could be very busy, and depending on the type of visitors, the atmosphere would vary.

Highlights:

Remembrance Day had always been a significant day for me, but spending it both at Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy, knowing I was standing on battlefields where men my age and younger had fought and died, really hit home for me.

One French group sang me a song for the Canadian soldiers while we were standing in the pouring rain. They told me they were thanking the soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice. I will always hold that memory dear to my heart.