While thousands gather in remembrance each year on Nov. 11, local students took the time to individually honour fallen soldiers who made their final resting place in town.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 9, Leane Jean's Grade 12 religion class from Notre Dame High School (NDHS) paid a visit to local cemeteries to take part in the No Stone Left Alone initiative. One-by-one students placed poppies on the headstones of those who served in the war.
“I thought it was a really interesting project to do because it really puts the perspective on the students that a lot of these soldiers passed away when they were about their age, or close to, and how it impacted their families that were left behind at home,” said Jean.
No Stone Left Alone was launched in 2011 as a way to recognize the sacrifice of Canadian men and women who have lost their lives serving their country. The idea behind the project is that with poppies placed on each headstone of a soldier, it will resemble the scene referred to in Flanders Fields with the poppies growing “row on row.”
It was also started as a way to educate students about the sacrifices made by veterans.
At NDHS, the initiative was brought to Jean's attention by student Alexandra Shapka.
“My grandfather, he served in the Second World War, so I really wanted to do something to commemorate his memory, honour those who have fallen, and others' grandparents who served in war – just really commemorate the fallen Canadians that helped us gain our freedom,” Shapka said.
After coming upon the idea with her mom, Sonja, the pair agreed it would be a good idea to get her classmates involved as well.
“I think it's important because then they can truly realize the sacrifice these people have made in order for us to have a safe country and freedom.”
To start out No Stone Left Alone, each participating group is given an order of events list as laid out by the Canadian military, including a reading of In Flanders Fields, commitment to remember, and minute of silence.
Students were given poppies to distribute on grave sites of those who had served the country in war, along with a diagram of identifiers for them to pick out which were fallen military members.
“The entire heart of Remembrance Day is lest we forget. It's part of our history and it's something all students should have to go through and remember what people have done, what sacrifices they have made to have the luxuries and freedoms we have today,” said Jean.
The first year for No Stone Left Alone at NDHS, Shapka expressed it's a program she hopes to see the school carry on annually, something which Jean said she'll be happy to do for as long as she continues to teach religion.
“I think it's a great program and a great organization, to raise awareness and honour those who have fallen,” said Shapka.
For more information on the project, or to get involved, visit www.nostoneleftalone.ca.
