A solemn ceremony took place on Monday, November 4 at the Humboldt Public Cemetery. Students from Humboldt Public School gathered for their 5th No Stone Left Alone event to honour all fallen soldiers.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion were on hand along with members representing the Army, Navy and Air Force branches of the service. Maxine Moore was on hand to lead the attendees in the singing of the National Anthem.
Public School students Christopher Hemm, Henry Keller and Izzy Ward performed “In Flanders Fields,” the time honoured poem written by Canadian soldier and physician Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Tayla Olson recited the Commitment to Remember, the pledge to continue honouring those who served and to never forget their sacrifices. The students then laid wreathes on behalf of the City of Humboldt, the Horizon School Division and other agencies at the foot of the cenotaph.
Corporal Keenan Roszell from 38 Service Battalion, 16 Company in Saskatoon address those gathered with the background to the No Stone Left Alone initiative.
“The No Stone Left Alone Foundation was started by Maureen Purvis,” Roszell recounted. “When her mom passed, her mom said she needed to remember her mom’s service, and there are a lot of gravesites without recognition. So No Stone Left Alone has students from across the country visit military graves, but they also visit graves that aren’t in the military section. They’ll find out who served, and they’ll lay a poppy on each grave.”
Roszell says it’s his second year involved in the foundation, and he finds it to be a worthwhile organization, one that is fulfilling to be a part of.
“It’s really good to see the kids come out and learn about what our veterans have done, and also take a moment to remember.”