RancheView School was among Cochrane schools pausing to honour our veterans and pay tribute to our fallen in school services on Nov. 8.
Guest speaker Corporal (retd) Tyson Edworthy was deployed in Afghanistan in 2009 as part of the reconstruction team, something, he told the students is a fancy way of saying they were there to help the people.
"When I was a kid, I watched a lot of war movies and played lots of war video games. I thought war was kind of an adventure and maybe fun."
But it's not.
"You don't get unlimited lives; you don't get to pause. It's not that fun. For the soldiers, it's hot, sweaty, long days of carrying lots of equipment. It's absolute boredom, and it's the most terrifying thing I've ever done."
Projected behind him were five of his friends who never came back.
"These five soldiers, like many Canadians from every war we have fought, died for their country."
He says veterans and their families deserve to be recognized for their contribution and to know what they did helped to make our nation as great and free as it is today.
"I would encourage you all to go home and ask your parents about veterans. Maybe you have someone who served in your family or know a neighbor who has served, and I know they would appreciate it if you honour them on Remembrance Day. I would also encourage you to attend Remembrance Day ceremony in Cochrane.
"To the soldiers, sailors and aviators who have served and died in Canada, may we ever preserve their memories, and may we never forget."
Piper Kellen Harris-Still lead the colour guard, scouts/guides, and stage guests into the packed gymnasium. The band performed O Canada and "Be Still my Soul," and the choir sang "What a Wonderful World."
Guides brought forward the wreaths, and two students from each class placed poppies at the memorial.
"In Flanders Field" was recited, "The Last Post" was played, followed by two minutes of silence and "Reveille" (Rouse).
