On a rainy and wet Thursday, dozens of students from Vernon schools came out the Pleasant Valley Cemetery for the annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony.
The initiative is an effort to honour the service and sacrifices of Canada’s military, by educating and inspiring youth to place poppies on veterans’ headstones. It started in 2008 in Edmonton, but was recently adopted to Vernon in 2015.
The ceremony had a student colour guard carrying the flags, while Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming spoke about the importance of remembrance.
“We recognize that the call for peace transcends borders, uniting us and our commitment to never forget the price of war and the bravery for those who serve. No Stone left Alone means it should not be forgotten.”
Bill Carr, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion was also on hand to deliver a speech.
“The Legion honours and supports veterans of all wars, recent and past,” he said. “Today we still grieve for those who are missing, year after year. Our responsibility is to make Canada worthy of the ongoing dedication and sacrifice and to make Canada a country defined by respect, harmony, inclusion, and kindness for all.”
Erin Chow’s Grade 6 and Joanne Heron’s Grade 7 class at Harwood Elementary School performed a rendition of the popular war poem, In Flanders Field.
Then, a recording of the Last Post and Rouse was played, before everyone bowed their head in prayer.
The ending of the ceremony was for the students to learn more about some of the soldiers buried at the cemetery, as they placed poppies on their headstones.
“We do not glorify war,” Carr said. “We remember the ultimate sacrifice made to ensure the liberty and freedoms we now take for granted.”
Volunteer members of the Dragoons, the Vernon Legion and the Vernon and District Family History Society were on hand to assist students as they placed their poppies.
Remembrance Day is Saturday, Nov. 11, with a parade planned at Kal Tire Place. Doors open at 9 a.m.
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