Visit to French war sites amid Paris attacks hits home for father and son

A father and son visiting France last week to honour fallen relativesfound themselves in the middle of another conflict.

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Lloyd and Lindy Rideouthad travelled abroadto pay their respects to Lloyd's father and uncle who fought in the First World War.

Cadiz Rideout, Lloyd's father, was injured in Monchy-le-Preux in 1917. Lloyd'suncle, Sidney, was killed the year before at the infamous battle ofBeaumont-Hamel, where most members of the Newfoundland Regiment were killed or wounded.

The morning after the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, the pair found themselves in a country that was again under siege.

"The borders were closed. We were flying out in a few hours. It was that moment where you don't stop, you don't breathe and your mind races: what do we do now?"saidLindyRideout.

"We weren't really expecting to be in the epicentreof another terrorist attack," said Lindy Rideout.

In France for First World War tour

The duo was in France to retrace the steps of their relatives, in the place where nearly 100 years ago, they defended a 100-metre strip of land in Beaumont-Hamel with the Newfoundland Regiment.

Lloyd Rideout went in hopes that it would help him understand a little bit more about his father, a man who passed away when he was only seven.

His son Lindy saidthat being in France during the attacks Friday helped put in perspective how his ancestors felt during the FirstWorld War.

"It did help bring home how my grandfather and his brother felt when they were in the presence of all that chaos," he said.

Piece of Newfoundland nearby

Outside the window from the bed and breakfast at which theywere stayingthe two saw a familiar symbol.

"In Beaumont-Hamel, there is a piece of Newfoundland soilwe could see it from our hotel. The Newfoundland flag flies there," he said."It was reassuring to know that it was next door."

The two are now safely back home in Newfoundland, and the trip has opened their eyes to how lucky they have it in Canada.

"We have a new appreciation for the word freedom," saidLindy Rideout.

"Being back home makes me want to stay here even more."