PLAMONDON - On Nov. 7, students and staff at École Plamondon School, together with representatives from Lac La Biche County, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the McGrane Branch #28 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Lac La Biche, gathered to honour those who have fought for their country at the school’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony.
The hour-long event got underway at 10:30 a.m. Following the land acknowledgement, a colour party comprised of Hannah Watson and Erin Cyre entered the Ecole Plamondon gymnasium. Carrying flags, they led special guests and dignitaries that included McGrane Branch president Danny Stevens, Lac La Biche County mayor Paul Reutov. Master Cpl Patrick Hepditch, a member of the Canadian military.
Those in attendance sang ‘O Canada’ and at 11 a.m., observed two minutes of silence. Near the end of the ceremony, students from kindergarten to Grade 5 lay poppies in front of a large wreath set up at the front of the gym at the foot of the stage.
The poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was written on May 3, 1915, by Canadian physician and World War I veteran Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, is a staple of Remembrance Day events, and it was recited as part at the school ceremony. Unique to the school’s diverse student population, the poem was heard in three languages. Nikita Skorohodov narrated in English while Vasily Basargin and Keelan Madill spoke the words in Russian and French.
The École Plamondon ceremony was one of several across the region in local schools conducted prior to the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day holiday, allowing school children to participate as a group.
Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov says having Remembrance Day events in schools is important, not only to teach young people about events that transpired a couple of generations ago, but also to keep alive the memory of those who served and fought for their country.
“We must remember where this all starts, and why we have the freedoms that we enjoy so much,” he said.
Karen Grygus,the principal of École Plamondon School, said school-based Remembrance Day events are significant as they show young people how to be appreciative of their freedoms and respect those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is our opportunity to teach students the importance of being grateful and honouring people that have done for us what we did not do for ourselves,” Grygus said.
Master Cpl. Patrick Hepditch, a medical technician serving at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake spoke to the students. He says that Remembrance Day events in schools help to provide outreach but also promote understanding among students about those who came before them and served their country in various conflicts.
“I believe that it is easy to kind of lose sight of the past and those that came before us and the sacrifice that they basically outlined so that future generations could have the privileges that they do in the modern day,” Hepditch said.