A young student pins a poppy as an act of Remembrance. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

We will remember them

“We are here to remember them and thank them”: Muskoday School hosts Remembrance Day ceremony

Nov 8, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The sound of The Last Post echoed throughout the gym of Muskoday Community School on Friday, as students helped in their own way to pay respects to the men and women who have fought and died for their country.

Over a dozen veterans and widows of veterans took part in the Remembrance Day ceremony. Norm Henderson, 85, said he felt proud to be able to share his own story with the young students.

“Well it feels so great to be able to at least give them some direction as to what it means to be in a service like that,” he said.

Grade six student Kaylie Smallchild was asked to read “In Flanders Fields.” (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The students played an active role in the ceremony. Those from grades three and four sang O’Canada in Cree, and a number of hand picked students pinned poppies to a designated board. Steven Ross, Grand Chief of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Associated (SFNVA) was one of several invited guests. During his remarks, he explained to the students how many people he served with did not return home.

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“They gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom so that we can be free, and be proud of who we are,” he said. “We are here to remember them and thank them … I’m thankful.”

Steven Ross. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

To help put things in perspective for the students, Ross also explained how a lot of young people had joined the military, some as young as 16, and had done so by lying about their age.

“It takes a lot of courage, you know they are true warriors,” he said, adding it was sad to think only a handful of world war veterans were still alive in Saskatchewan.

A local veteran lays a wreath. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Emile Highway, President of the Prince Albert Chapter for the SFNVA, explained to the students how aboriginal soldiers faced a different sort of challenge during war time, forced to hide their pipes and drums for risk of being disciplined. He also explained how, when he returned home from serving, there were some in his community who called him a “traitor.”

“I told them that those of you who have never served, we don’t hold it against you but feel sorry for you because you will never feel the pride of people who were in uniform,” he said.

Highway ended his remarks by encouraging the young children to feel proud of who they are, and where they have come from.

Over a dozen veterans took part in Friday’s ceremony. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell