"It was like reliving history." That's from Municipality of Westlake-Gladstone mayor David Single who attended the one-hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on location in Vimy, France.

"We spent a couple of days in Paris at the beginning and got to see the Eiffel Tower," says Single. He notes it was wonderful to see the tower all lit up at night. "Then we spent eleven days touring the countryside. So, we went to many battlegrounds and cemeteries. It was a real educational experience to learn what exactly took place during the war (World War 1)."

Single says security for the visit to the ceremony in Vimy took place at a soccer stadium. He and his wife then boarded the ceremony shuttle and arrived at the site where he saw over 25,000 people in attendance. He notes prime minister Justin Trudeau was there, along with Governor General David Johnston, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry, who laid the last two sets of boots in a representation of soldiers who died in the battle. A highlight included World War I biplanes flying overhead and then a surprise fly-over by by modern jets at the end of the ceremony.

"The ceremony itself was just amazing. I felt like we were part of history being there," Single adds.

He notes he was lucky to have a seat close to the front.

Between 3,500 and 4,000 names of those who died in the battle were read throughout the day in alphabetical order. Close to the end of the reading, Single says he was amazed to have recognized a name who lived on the property where he currently lives. Everett Wright was killed April 10 and lived on the quarter piece of land Single now residents on.

Single's wife, Marion, notes she visited the war memorial graveyard where her great uncle was buried. He died at the age of 19 during World War I while serving in France. She notes it was a very enlightening and emotional trip. Marion adds they were privileged to travel with another couple from Plumas, Harold and Mary Kreutzer.

Single notes another special moment was when they met a woman was two-days old when her father passed away in the second World War, and she was able to visit his gravesite for the first time in her life.