Grade 7 and 8 students at St. Anne, Sarnia recently took part in a meaningful exploration of local history by engaging with the Remembering Sarnia’s War Fallen website, www.sarniaswarfallenwheretheycalledhome.ca. This initiative, designed to honour the sacrifices of Sarnia’s war heroes, provided students with a chance to connect with their community’s history in a deeply personal way.

Using information from the site, students created posters to highlight the lives and stories of Sarnia’s fallen soldiers. Their work demonstrated not only creativity but also an enhanced understanding of the importance of remembrance. Teachers noted that this project sparked greater engagement among students, who reflected thoughtfully on the sacrifices made by local individuals during wartime.

To deepen their learning, the Grade 8 students welcomed members of the Remembering Sarnia’s War Fallen committee to their classroom. Tom Slater and Tom St. Amand, both former St. Pat’s teachers, joined Doug Woods to share their research and the inspiration behind the Sarnia War Remembrance Sign Project. This initiative, launched in February 2024, aims to honour Sarnia’s fallen soldiers by marking their former homes with commemorative signs, following similar efforts in cities like Toronto and Ottawa.

Principal Stephanie Orrange emphasized the significance of such initiatives in fostering a culture of remembrance and reflection among students. “Remembrance is about more than one day in November—it’s an ongoing opportunity to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to inspire learning that lasts throughout the year,” she said.

This collaboration brought history to life, helping students connect with their community and deepen their understanding of remembrance.