Students Honour Fallen Soldiers

Nov. 07, 2014


​Remembrance Day is a time to recognize the sacrifices made by Canadians in armed conflicts. CBE schools held Remembrance Day ceremonies Nov. 7, and several of these school ceremonies are highlighted below.

Captain Nichola Goddard School

Captain Nichola Goddard School hosted a special ceremony on Nov. 7 that included the gifting of the Canadian flag that flew at the Kandahar Military Base on Remembrance Day, 2011 in Afghanistan.  The flag was presented to the Goddard family at the Kandahar Memorial in Charlottetown in September of this year.

At the ceremony, Sally Goddard presented the flag to the school as part of the legacy of Captain Nichola Goddard. Sally Goddard is the mother of the late Captain Nichola Goddard who was the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat. She was killed in Afghanistan on May 17, 2006.

According to Principal Joy Chadwick, the theme for the ceremony was “Live Your Legacy.”

“Over the years, the Canadian military have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure peace, education, democracy and freedom for nations around the world,” she said.  “Their legacy lives on, and it is that legacy we celebrate today.”

The school’s hope, she added, is that they will stand as one body for peace and justice. “Our hope is that in thinking about Captain Nichola Goddard’s legacy, we will become citizens with integrity and courage in our school and wider community.”

Another honoured guest at the ceremony was Murray McCann, chair of the Field of Crosses Memorial Project. He is responsible for the crosses that appear along Memorial Drive each November. Mr. McCann’s family foundation funds the Field of Crosses Memorial Project that honours fallen soldiers from Southern Alberta. Each cross is inscribed with the name, rank, regiment, date of death and age of death of a Southern Alberta soldier killed in action. It is estimated that more than 3,000 Southern Alberta soldiers have been killed in action.


'Comments' field not found: Value does not fall within the expected range.

​Juno Beach Academy of Canadian Studies

Juno Beach Academy of Canadian Studies students joined veterans, dignitaries, government representatives and military representatives to honour Canadians who died in war and conflict throughout Canada’s history at “The Field of Honour.” Many of Calgary’s war dead are buried there.
 
The program included the marching on the flags, a remembrance address by former student Spencer Hoffmann, poems of remembrance and remarks from Richard Hanrahan, Consul of the United States Consulate General. Padre Kenn Balzer delivered a prayer of remembrance, and many special guests were invited to lay wreaths.

'Comments' field not found: Value does not fall within the expected range.

​Terry Fox School

Student songwriters from Terry Fox School honoured the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces this Remembrance Day by creating an original piece entitled “A Soldier’s Song.”

“It was an amazing experiment that was exciting,” said Grade 9 student Jam Roda, a co-collaborator, “We got to work with students in all grades and abilities. We were super encouraging and we drew on each other’s strengths. It’s a reflection of what we are able to accomplish together as a school community.”

The piece was performed at the Terry Fox’s Remembrance Day assembly on Nov. 7. 

The students are committed to honouring Canada’s veterans in their own special way.  “This piece is very important to us,” explains Grade 9 student Mahiat Fairuz. “We really wanted to capture what Remembrance Day means to young people. It seems that young people today don’t know that much about war, but we created this song so that we could thank them for serving our country and to let them know that we won’t forget them.” 

​

See more photos below