The Elkhorn School gym was decorated with Remembrance Day art work as the students filled the room along with many members of the community for this special yearly event.
The program was opened by principal Lance Barrate who welcomed everyone and called in the Elkhorn Royal Canadian Legion and Ladies Auxiliary flag party. The combined student band played Oh Canada with special guest performer Mark Humphries.
The grade groups did a variety of Remembrance Day poems and songs with new pieces this year such as Peace In My Heart and an original poem Thank You To The Animals, written by the students.
Following the Act of Remembrance, Humphries played The Last Post on trumpet followed by a minute of silence and then Reveille.
The guest speaker this year was a young soldier from CFB Shilo, Bombardier Christian Vaillancourt of the RCHA who comes from a town near Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Vaillancourt showed a brief video on his regiment and then went on to explain the importance of the Canadian military in times of peace and war and that we should always remember the sacrifices they have made to protect us around the world and at home in times of natural disasters.
He said the forces serve to protect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians and the human rights of others.
“Serving in the Canadian Armed Forces is a rewarding career for me every day because I am ready to help others in times of peace and war as Canadian soldiers have done in the past to the point of giving up their lives. Lest we forget their sacrifice. Merci!”
Following his heartfelt presentation, Vaillancourt helped Legion member Margaret James, in charge of the Royal Canadian Legion Annual Literary and Poster Contest, to give out recognition awards to a large number of winners in all grade levels.
Many of the students will have their contest entries moved up to the Legion Zone 26 judging level with the chance to go on to provincials and nationals.
