J.R. Robson Honour Veterans And Fallen Soldiers

The meaning of sacrifice and the importance of remembering those who never returned home took on a personal significance at J.R. Robson School on November 6, as two retired Canadian Armed Forces members shared their experiences of military service, the challenges of deployment and the loss of fellow soldiers during the school’s Remembrance Day ceremony.

Lorne Maier served as master of ceremonies in the school gymnasium, beginning with the Treaty 6 Acknowledgement before welcoming students, staff, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 representatives, the 2645 Loyal Edmonton Regiment Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and honoured guests Lieutenant (ret) Daphne ter Kuile, CD, and Captain (ret) Mike ter Kuile, CD.

Following the entrance of the Colour Party and Legion representatives, those gathered sang O Canada.

Maier paid special tribute to the four Canadian Armed Forces members who lost their lives in the October 17 tragedy at CFB Wainwright: Private Hayden Lykkemark, 19, Private Shaun Farrell, 23, Private Aidan Goulding, 23, and Sergeant Morgan Wong, 26.

The school extended its thoughts to their families, fellow soldiers and those recovering from injuries, while recognizing the extraordinary efforts of emergency responders and neighbouring communities who provided assistance.

Student Autumn Court recited Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields, followed by a video presentation. The ceremony also recognized the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary and National Indigenous Veterans Day, observed November 8.

Guest speakers Lieutenant (ret) ter Kuile and Captain (ret) ter Kuile shared their military experiences, including their deployment to Afghanistan in 2009.

Lieutenant (ret) ter Kuile served 34 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including deployments to Cyprus, Afghanistan and multiple naval missions. Captain (ret) ter Kuile served 40 years, including deployments to Croatia and Afghanistan, alongside 32 years of policing experience in Alberta.

Lieutenant (ret) ter Kuile spoke about her family’s military history and the pride she felt wearing the uniform, explaining that serving meant representing Canadians and generations of military personnel who came before them.

Captain (ret) ter Kuile encouraged students to reflect on the theme “service before self.”

“Service before self. Barely older than what you are now, soldiers, sailors, airmen and women have gone to war, have gone to serve this country and the Commonwealth in the service of peace, to better the world that we live in,” Captain (ret) ter Kuile told the students.

Through a slide presentation, the couple described the challenges of serving in Afghanistan, including extreme temperatures, dangerous conditions and efforts to help Afghan communities rebuild schools, infrastructure and essential services.

They also spoke about the importance of education, particularly for young women, and the freedoms Canadians often take for granted.

One of the most emotional moments came as they shared photographs and memories of fellow soldiers who lost their lives during their deployment. Reflecting on two young soldiers she remembered, Lieutenant (ret) ter Kuile spoke of the lives they might have lived.

“If they were still here today, they’d be in their 40’s, they’d have kids, and they’d probably be doing what I’m doing today, coming out and talking to young people like you. I never got to say goodbye to them because we were in Indonesia,” Lieutenant (ret) ter Kuile said.

The ceremony continued with the Last Post, a moment of silence, the Military Lament, Reveille and the Ode of Remembrance, with those gathered responding, “We will remember them.”

Following the singing of God Save the King, the Colour Party and Legion representatives departed the gymnasium.

The ceremony served as a reminder that behind every military uniform is a person whose service, courage and sacrifice deserve to be remembered.