Here in Newfoundland it's also Memorial Day. Yes, we have November 11, but July 1st has always been more about the First Day On The Somme

Our Newfoundland Regiment was basically wiped out at Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916. 780 went "over the top" against the Germans, only 68 were able to answer the roll call on July 2nd. An 80 % casualty rate. The dead included 14 sets of brothers, including four lieutenants from the Ayre family of St. John's. These were our brightest and best of that generation that we lost, who knows what they might have achieved had such insanity never taken place? So it's a mixed day here on "Da Rock". We mourn in the morning, then at noon switch over to party mode to celebrate Canada Day.