WELLINGTON COUNTY – Every year on Nov. 11, people across the British Commonwealth take time to honour the sacrifices made by those who fought in the armed forces.
Students will be commemorating Remembrance Day early this year, as Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday.
UGDSB
At the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), Remembrance Day will be commemorated on Nov. 10.
Some schools have planned Remembrance Day assemblies on site, while others will be making trips to local cenotaphs for Remembrance Day services.
Local Legion members will visit some schools to share presentations about the importance of Remembrance Day.
“For over 100 years, Canadians have set aside the 11th Day of November to remember the sacrifices of soldiers who fought for Canada and the British Commonwealth in global conflicts that took place in foreign lands,” UGDSB spokesperson Heather Loney stated in an email to the Advertiser.
The UGDSB will also commemorate Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8, “to honour the contributions made by Indigenous warriors in those military campaigns,” Loney continued.
Educators will be given resources, including new films, that highlight contributions and challenges of Indigenous veterans.
WCDSB
At the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) students and staff will commemorate Veterans Week from Nov. 5 to 11.
There will be a focus on Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8 and Remembrance Day on Nov. 10.
“Schools have been provided with a number of resources for educators discussing Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day and have elected to engage community members in a variety of activities and ceremonies,” WCDSB spokesperson Alison Lupal stated in an email to the Advertiser.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Fergus will commemorate Remembrance Day with an assembly, flag party, and bucket drummers on Nov. 10.
The student flag party will use French and English drill commands.
The school will welcome honoured guests from the community during the event, including retired intelligence non-commissioned member Marie Sterling.
Sterling was stationed in Lahr, Germany, Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Carp, or the Diefenbunker, CFS Lac St. Denis and Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
The Act of Remembrance – an excerpt from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon will be recited: “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not wary them, nor the years condemn.”
Students will also watch a video, and observe a moment of silence and the Last Post – the traditional bugle call signifying the end of activities.
Veterans will be visiting Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School on Nov. 9 for the annual Guelph Veterans Remembrance Panel.
Visiting veterans include people who served in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as well as United Nations Peacekeepers and members of Guelph’s 11th Field Artillery Regiment.
This panel offers students an opportunity to meet veterans, shake their hands, speak with them, and listen to them share their stories.
At St. James Catholic High School, there will be a Remembrance Day assembly on Nov. 10.
The assembly will include the school’s band and drama class, alumni playing the bagpipes, St. James students involved in Cadets and Father Valentine.
