Medicine Hat students, including local cadets, participated in several Remembrance Day ceremonies throughout schools prior to holiday Monday.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Students throughout schools in Medicine Hat took a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Remembrance Day ceremonies held throughout the week.
Reciting poems, including In Flanders Fields, and speaking about Canada’s military history, students, many wearing poppies, expressed the importance of honouring veterans on Remembrance Day while listening to guest speakers and taking part in a moment of silence.
A group of students from Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre who are also members of the 15 Medicine Hat Royal Air Cadets spoke with the News prior to their school’s Remembrance Day ceremony about the strong sense of pride they feel representing Canada and keeping the memory of veterans alive.
“It’s really important and I feel really honoured to respect those who fought for our land and country,” said Zayna Kassyak. “Honestly, standing here in this uniform and presenting is a really big pride and honour I’m carrying right now.”
“It’s very prideful, just to be part of the cadet program,” said Cole Williams. “It’s very important because this is the day we show tribute for those who have fallen before us.”
“I’m feeling so proud right now that I’m presenting the past and those who would die for us, I’m feeling so proud,” said Mahr Patel.
“I feel very proud and happy for all my cadets I work with,” said Eva Glockner. “I’m glad they are trying to represent and help with Remembrance Day.”
Canadian veteran and current Royal Canadian Legion sergeant at arms, Scott Schall, shared stories about his 30 years of service with the force that included deployments to both Bosnia and Afghanistan, with students at St. Mary’s School during their Remembrance Day ceremony Friday afternoon.
“You have the freedom to go about your business, you’re going to have the freedom to go and do whatever it is you want to do in life,” said Schall, “Because somebody went overseas, somebody stood up to somebody else and said you couldn’t do that.”
Schall highlighted the rigorous training required for military roles and skills he acquired as an armoured soldier who operated a variety of tanks in the Canadian Army, including the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2, Canada’s main battle tank.
During his presentation Schall recounted the loss of friends while serving overseas and spoke about the impacts of their deaths.
“Every year on the anniversary of their being taken from us, I visit their graves and I give thanks,” said Schall. “I feel guilt because I survived, but I give thanks, and in my own way, I remember.”
Grade 9 student Haidyn Johnson performed the Last Post on her trumpet during the ceremony to commemorate those who have died in war, a significant moment to honour her great-grandfather’s sacrifice.
“It’s something that’s very heavy in my family and it means a lot,” said Johnson. “It’s so important and a lot of traditions kind of get lost as new generations come up, but it’s nice that some traditions stay and they keep going and people keep honouring them.
“Even though it was so long ago and before a lot of us were even born, it’s still nice that we get to remember that and honour them.”
On Monday a ceremony at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre begins at 9:30 a.m that will be followed by a procession to the Cenotaph in Riverside Veterans Memorial Park where the Remembrance Day service begins at 11 a.m.
In Redcliff a procession will go from the Legion to Parkside School with a ceremony that will take place starting at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a service at the Cenotaph beginning at 11 a.m.
There will be no school for students Monday.
