Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-colline Parlementaire in Communauté-Urbaine-de-Québec, — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
In Memory of Our Fallen Soldiers
La mémoire des combattants
Unveiled on July 1, 1924, the Cross of Sacrifice originally honoured the memory of the Canadian soldiers killed during the Great War of 1914-1918. Over 66,000 lost their lives in the conflict. A handful of earth from Vimy, the site of Canada’s most decisive involvement in the war, was placed under the base of the monument.
As subsequent conflicts arose over the years, more inscriptions were added to the monument to commemorate the sacrifice of soldiers lost in the Second World War (1939-1945; over 42,000 killed) and the Korean War (1951-1953; 516 killed).
As a finishing touch, the National Battlefields Commission decorates the ground at the base of the Cross of Sacrifice with carpet bedding. This delicate task requires patience, since the horticulturalists must find the right variety of plants and arrange them just so in order to turn their colours into inscriptions or evocative images.
Symbolising soldiers killed in combat, the poppies planted at the foot of the cross will recall the Great Wars during this anniversary year. If weather conditions allow, a commemorative horticultural arrangement will honor the fallen until Remembrance Day on November 11.
French:
Inaugurée le 1er juilet 1924, la Croix du Sacrifice rappelait d’abord la mémoire des militaires canadiens morts pendant la Grande Guerre de 1914-1918. Ils sont plus de 66 000 à avoir perdu la vie pendant ce conflit. Une poignée de terre de Vimy, lieu de l’engagement canadien le plus déterminant de cette guerre, a été déposée sous le socle du monument.
Avec les années et les conflits, des inscriptions ont été ajoutées sur le monument pour commémorer le sacrifice de militaires disparus pendant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale (1939-1945; plus de 42 000 décès) et la guerre de Corée (1950-1952; 516 décès).
Pour compléter l’aménagement de la Croix du Sacrifice, la Commission des champs de bataille nationaux agrémente le parterre autour du monument d’une mosaïculture. Ce travail délicat demande de la patience aux horticulteurs pour trouver les bonnes variétés de plantes et les harmoniser pour que leurs couleurs créent des inscriptions ou des images évocatrices.
Symboles des militaires morts au combat, des coquelicots plantés au pied de la croix rappelleront les Grandes Guerres en cette année anniversaire. Si les conditions climatiques le permettent, un aménagement horticole commémoratif portera la mémoire des combattants jusqu’au 11 novembre, jour du Souvenir.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Cross of Sacrifice series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1924.
Location. 46° 48.524′ N, 71° 12.725′ W. Marker is in Québec, in Communauté-Urbaine-de-Québec. It is in Vieux-Québec-Cap-Blanc-colline Parlementaire. Memorial is on Grande Allée Est close to Avenue George VI. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 979 Grande Allée Est, Québec G1R 3R2,, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frontenac (within shouting distance of this marker); Fortifications de / of Québec (within shouting distance of this marker); General Montgomery’s Army (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Les Conferences de Québec de 1943 et 1944 (about 120 meters away); The Québec Garrison Club (about 150 meters away); Quebec Boer War Memorial (about 150 meters away); Jonathan Sewell (about 180 meters away); Adélard Godbout (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Québec.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 15, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.