We Remember

This year I spent Remembrance Day in my placement school

Our morning started in class where, as a group, we made a wreath

At 11:00AM we quietly made out way to the gym where the entire school would convene for an assembly

The students sang O'Canada and then quietly sat down

The junior choir stood up and sang "Little Red Poppy"

The sound of children singing made me feel emotional on this day of reflection

Then two students approached the microphone and recited "In Flanders Field"

It's funny how I remembered every word after having learned it so many years ago in elementary school

A slideshow began to play on the projector screen and the song "Amazing Grace" played in the background

Images of war, soldiers, veterans and the Canadian flag flashed across the screen

Silence.

One by one a representative from each class brought up their wreath and placed them side by side

Students stood as a teacher played "The Last Post" & "Taps" on his trumpet

A moment of silence. A moment of remembering

A dedication to Corporal Nathan Cirillo

Students quietly walked back to their classrooms

As we arrived back we took a moment to talk about why we were thankful to live in Canada.

We spoke about the atrocities of war and our hope for peace

I was thankful to have spent the day amongst students learning about all the reasons to remember

We remember, we never forget.