Students and staff at schools across the St. Clair district observed Remembrance Day ceremonies, in assemblies and at community events.
Students at Good Shepherd Catholic School in Thamesville participated in a solemn Service of Remembrance at the local cenotaph, joining Royal Canadian Legion Branch 367, representatives of Chatham-Kent police and fire, and other community members. The service included pausing for two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m., prayers, the laying of wreaths and playing of the Last Post.
Members of the community ringed the cenotaph, holding photos of loved ones, who have served, or are serving, in Canada’s armed forces, during active duty and peace keeping missions around the world, including Good Shepherd school secretary Chris Walker-Smith, whose daughter Lindsay is a member of the Royal Canadian Navy.
At St. Anne Catholic School in Sarnia, the school’s Remembrance Day service was led by Lee Hodgins’ Grade 8 class. In a moving five scene drama tableaux presentation, students depicted the bravery of soldiers both marching off to war and in battle, the many lives lost, the solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives and keeping peace in our world.
St. Clair Catholic students also participated in National Indigenous Veterans Day ceremonies, which honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis veterans. National Indigenous Veterans Day is observed on November 8, with local communities holding ceremonies on November 8 and November 10.
Students from Wallaceburg Catholic schools and Ursuline College Chatham joined the Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the Bkejwanong Children’s Centre at the Veterans Monument on Walpole Island First Nation, Bkejwanong Territory. Visit the Indigenous Education Webpage for more information.
St. Patrick’s Catholic High School united in solemn remembrance, honouring our verterans and active service members, with a powerful video tribute broadcast to every classroom. See below to watch this touching video.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board honours and remembers the courage, sacrifices and contributions of all veterans, who have served in times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping missions, to advance the cause of freedom around the world.