Remembrance Day Assembly Linda Lu and Virginia Ling, Staff Reporter
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude,”
-Cynthia Ozick
In order to not to take for granted the sacrifices of many Canadian soldiers, the students and teachers of St.Robert Catholic High School gathered on Monday November 11 2013 for their annual Remembrance Day ceremony. It was a day to commemorate the brave Canadian soldiers who gave up their lives fighting to uphold freedom and peace not just in Canada, but that of other countries as well. As Mr. Wood said, “It is important to pay our respects to those young people who gave up their youth for a cause greater than themselves.” Wearing the symbolic red poppy on our chests and standing for the national anthem performed by Ms.Facchini’s band ensemble, the ceremony begins as we remember the selfless decisions made by countless Canadian soldiers.
Standing before the podium, Mr. Wood delivered a speech to remind us that our soldiers’ sacrifices were not in vain and that us - the people who live in the world that they fought so hard to protect - should appreciate all that they have done.
Despite their efforts, many of their contributions have been left unnoticed and forgotten. The Korean War, as Mr. Wood stated, is known as “the Forgotten War,” however unbeknownst to many, Canada fought alongside the South Koreans in the battle against communism. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean war and in honor of those brave Canadians, St. Robert remembers.
Mr. Wood also introduced to us Captain Stewart Sherriff of the Lorne Scots Regiment to share his personal experiences of his long military career that included a stint as a peacekeeper with the United Nations Emergency Force II in Egypt. Captain Stewart Sherriff recounted to us the numerous lives lost during the fight for peace, and even his own traumatic experiences of having to accept the deaths of his comrades.
Through these stories, we began to better understand the severity of the hardships soldiers must face. During the moment of silence and as Last Post and The Rouse were played by Brendan Coutinho, we reflected upon the soldiers’ courage, perseverance and resilience.
We recognize that in their patriotism to fight for a greater cause, Canadian soldiers leave behind their home and loved ones despite knowing there is a chance that they may never return. However, a Canadian soldier is a defender for peace just as much as they are a husband and a father.
Through the many sacrifices a soldier must make, the pain of separating from one’s family is one that is unmatched. Portraying the story of a boy mourning and wishing for the safe return of his father, the ceremony ended with an emotional video edited by Jessie Lee of the Rams Media Corporation. Set during the Second World War, the montage of powerful videos and photos that presented the soldiers’ determination to fight for such a noble cause had touched the hearts of many at the assembly. Thus, let us never forget the courage Canadian soldiers showed as they made the decision to forsake their family and their lives to protect their principles of peace and freedom.