thestar.com

It has taken years, thousands of donated Canadian and Spanish dollars, many heads butting against layer after layer of official Canadian resistance, to bring the stone here from the field in Gandesa where it witnessed so many Canadian deaths so many years ago.

The old Spanish Civil War song above tells the red stone's story: of a field where olives once grew, and where officially unsung Canadian soldiers have lain for nearly 60 years. ``If you want to write me, here's where to send the letter: Gandesa front, first line of fire.''

The ``Mac-Paps'' were a unit of the International Brigades, a volunteer force recruited worldwide to oppose the fascist forces bent on overthrowing the government of Spain. Formed in Spain in 1937, the battalion was named for the leaders of the 1837 rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada. Despite their government's opposition, more than 1,500 Canadians volunteered to fight with the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War. They fought courageously for their ideals, suffering heavy losses in major battles. About half survived to return home in 1939.