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Jeff Green | Nov 17, 2005

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Remembrance day at North Addington Education Centre

by Darlene Dacuk

At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 11, Kindergarten to Grade 12 students assembled in the gymnasium for our annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Emcees Melanie Younie (Gr. 11) and Courtney Dacuk (Gr. 8) started the ceremony by welcoming members of the Royal Canadian Legion as well as staff, students and families who attended. The Vocal Ensemble, led by Ms. Cavers, sang O Canada. Sarah Taylor read “In Flanders Fields” to begin the ceremony.

Melanie spoke about why Canadians gather on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honour and remember soldiers who fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

Many students came forward to read their original compositions that were written for this ceremony in both English and French. Some students also read classics such as “An Honored Son”, “Prayer before Battle” and “For the Fallen”.

Ms. Gurnsey read a powerful letter that she had written in 1996 entitled “Thinking of my Grampa” (Jacob Randall) that was published in the Napanee Beaver in September 1996. Ms. Gurnsey’s father sent her editorial to the War Amputees and she read the response that she received from the War Amps, which stresses the importance of everyone who serves in the war effort, no matter what their job.

Students then watched a powerful song and video by Terry Kelly. The video “A Pittance of Time” described one man’s experience at a shopping centre, when one customer refused to acknowledge the two minutes of silence.

The Vocal Ensemble then sang while the elementary students placed wreaths near the crosses on the stage.

Ms. Cavers played the Last Post; then students, staff and guests took a moment of silence to remember those men and women who courageously volunteer for the cause of freedom and peace.

Courtney thanked everyone for their contribution to the ceremony and thanked friends, families and guests for attending. She urged everyone “to remember and thank the heroes of the past and present and to do everything you can today to ensure a peaceful and wonderful world that we know it can be.”

Special mention to our guests, Cathy & Ernie Ballar from Royal Canadian Legion Jimmie Clarke Branch 328 part of Zone G-1 Northbrook, and to Harry Andringa for attending our ceremony.