Why July 1 means something very different for Newfoundland and Labrador

Those of you who are familiar with my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador may know that July 1 is an important, symbolic day for us. Yes, it's Canada Day, but for us it's also Memorial Day. We remember the horrendous slaughter of so many of our brave, young men in World War I. For us it was also a huge turning point on Newfoundland's road from being an independent country to part of Canada. Click here to read one of the best articles I've seen about why July 1 is important to Newfoundlanders.

The photo above is a copy of the letter received by my great-grandfather, telling him that his 19-year-old son, Harry, had been killed at the disastrous battle of Beaumont-Hamel. Within weeks, his other son, my grandfather, would enlist by lying about his age (adding 2 years to be old enough).