401 www.on.legion.ca ONTARIO COMMAND Teach Our Children to Remember Today is November 11th. The day we pay tribute to those passed before us. We celebrate Remembrance Day to remember the soldiers who fought in World War 1 and World War 2 and those on peace keeping missions still today. The fearless soldiers were fighting for peace and freedom for their countrymen. They were brave young men and women who risked their lives for us. We need to remember their sacrifices. At school, everyone is gathered in our gym to recognize the traditions of Remembrance Day. Everyone is wearing a red poppy to represent the blood that was shed by the soldiers. The Royal Canadian Legion comes to our school to share a presentation. The Legion represents veterans, active military personnel and their families. We are excited and proud to see these men and women dressed in their military uniforms! Our Remembrance Day is about to start! The sound of bagpipes fill the air in our school assembly. In march, people dressed in military uniforms holding bright colourful flags. We stand and sing O' Canada. It sounds so loud with everyone singing together. We are proud Canadians! Suddenly, the sound of a trumpet booms loudly in the gym. We hear the Last Post which symbolizes the calling home of the souls of the Fallen. Then at 11 o'clock, on the eleventh day and eleventh month, we stand for a moment of silence to reflect on our lives and be thankful. It is so quiet in the gym as about two hundred and fifty students stand at attention. As we stand, we reflect on the bravery of the soldiers, and we are so thankful. After the moment of silence, we hear the trumpet sounds again as the Last Rouse was played. This call is to guide the fallen soldiers to rest in peace. Some of these fallen soldiers are our great- grandparents and grandparents. I am not sure if I would be as brave as they were! Now to hear the war stories! The veterans begin to share stories from the war or their peace keeping efforts. The war stories made me feel sad to hear about the young soldiers fighting for our country and so many dying and not returning to home to their families. Families must have been filled with grief over their lost loved ones. All for the chance for us to be free. It is important to listen and appreciate the war stories. The Canadian soldiers had the courage to fight someone else's war. As students, we need to understand and learn about the struggles that the soldiers went through to fight for our freedom. We need to take time to remember the sacrifices they made for us. We, as children need to continue to speak for those no longer here. Lest we forget.
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