The memories of those brave soldiers who risked and gave their lives were cherished at Barrhead schools last week, as students took time to remember and give thanks Friday, Nov. 9.
The gymnasium at Barrhead Elementary filled with a sea of red shirts, scarves, and dresses as students piled in for the Remembrance Day assembly Friday morning. Over the heart of every student sat a poppy.
Various grades took the stage to read poems, sing songs, and present facts about the wars of the past. Students in the French immersion class recited Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s infamous poem, In Flanders Fields with utmost confidence. Another class sang a song that incorporated the poem as well.
Voices came out big and strong from the tiny bodies in a number of moving performances, as those students sitting on the floor listened carefully and patiently.
Barrhead Composite High School held their own ceremony later that afternoon. The Colours were marched in to the sound of the school band, played with grace throughout the assembly.
The band, led by Kerri Kostiw, played many songs including Cross the Wide Missouri. Grade 7 student Erica Soetaert began the performance with beautiful, almost haunting solo before the instrumental piece began:
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er.
Give me a boat to take me home.
My true love waits on yonder shore,
So far away, so long alone.
Students had the opportunity to hear from a number of guest speakers, including deputy reeve Darryl Troock, Barrhead mayor Brian Schulz, school board chair Sharon Volorney, Rob McGarva from the regional office, and Legion president Herman Barkemeyer.
Each speaker shared with the students what Remembrance Day meant to them personally, and spoke on the importance of the day.
Lieutenant Patrick Aucoin, a member of the Canadian Forces stationed in Edmonton, also spoke. Students reacted well to the soldier’s presentation, as he talked on subjects such as his training, time in Afghanistan, and relating to veterans.
Following his presentation Aucoin opened the floor for questions from students, and there were quite a few. What made him want to join the army? What was it like being away from his family when he was in Afghanistan? What kind of gun did he shoot?
The questions kept coming, which were all answered accurately with a hint of humour. Eventually the question and answer session had to be cut off due to lack of time.
As the ceremony came to a close, students Morgan Simpson and Liam Holman, prepared to trumpet Last Post. When the last note echoed through the gym, students, teachers, and honoured guests bowed their head and took two minutes of silence to remember.
The trumpeters began to play once again and the Colours marched their way out, signaling the close of another Remembrance Day ceremony.
