Indigenous Veterans Day is observed each year in Canada on November 8.  Indigenous Veterans Day is a memorial observance which recognizes the contributions of members of Indigenous communities to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

As November 8 falls on a Saturday this year, our partners at Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island First Nation), Caldwell First Nation, Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown), and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, will hold ceremonies on either Saturday, November 8 or Monday, November 10.

Remembrance Day ceremonies, which honour armed forces members in Canada and across allied countries who have died in the line of duty, will be held on Tuesday, November 11.

St. Clair Catholic will recognize these important memorial observances by lowering flags at all schools and the Catholic Education Centre.  All flags will be lowered to half-mast at the end of the day on Friday, November 7 and will remain lowered until the morning of Wednesday, November 12. 

“The lowering of our flags in recognition of these solemn and important national observances is a demonstration of the Board’s highest level of respect and gratitude for all armed services personnel, who have served the cause of freedom,” says Lisa Demers, Director of Education.  “We give thanks to God for their service to our country and their commitment to world peace, as we pray for His blessings of comfort for their families.”

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

From For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon.