St. Jerome’s Honour Veterans Through Reflection

Students and staff at St. Jerome’s School in Vermilion gathered in the school gymnasium on November 6 for a Remembrance Day ceremony honouring the men and women who have served, continue to serve, and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The ceremony brought together students, family members, staff, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 and invited guests for a tribute filled with music, reflection and remembrance.

Kaelyn Ganton and Althea Mamites served as mistresses of ceremonies, guiding those in attendance through the program while sharing information about Canada’s military history and the young ages of many who served and lost their lives. In a particularly poignant moment, they asked the Grade 12 students to stand, illustrating just how young many soldiers were when they made the ultimate sacrifice.

Among the honoured guests were Father Varkey, East Central Alberta Catholic Schools (ECACS) Board Chairman Derek Collins, Vermilion board representative Allan Rogan and Lieutenant-Colonel Jocelyn Roy, Chief of Staff at the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre at CFB Wainwright.

Also in attendance were Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 President Darlene Carrier, First Vice President John Thompson, Poppy Chair Marcel Lefebvre and Branch Director Barry Roth.

The ceremony also included a special acknowledgement of the recent tragedy at CFB Wainwright, honouring the four Canadian Armed Forces members who lost their lives and extending thoughts and wishes for healing to the soldiers who were injured.

Following the introductions, Mrs. Schmidt’s Grade 2 class performed O Canada, followed by the Parade of Colours led by piper John Thompson and the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Colour Party. Father Varkey then offered the invocation prayer.

Lieutenant-Colonel Roy, who has served in the Canadian Army for 22 years as an infantry officer, addressed the students and guests, beginning by congratulating everyone involved in preparing the ceremony.

“Before I go any further, I’d like to take a moment to congratulate all of you, this has been a great ceremony so far,” Lieutenant-Colonel Roy said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Roy spoke about the importance of Remembrance Day and the responsibility Canadians of all ages share in honouring those who served, particularly those who never returned home.

“Remembering is not only what your adults and members of the military do. Remembering, it belongs to all of us,” Lieutenant-Colonel Roy told the students.

Lieutenant-Colonel Roy emphasized that every student who participated, whether through speaking, singing, reading poetry or laying a wreath, played an important role in making the ceremony meaningful.

“As a soldier, I can tell you that seeing young Canadians take time to learn about their history and honour those who serve means a great deal to us,” Lieutenant-Colonel Roy said.

Expressing appreciation to the students, teachers and staff who organized the ceremony, Lieutenant-Colonel Roy encouraged the students to carry the spirit of remembrance into their everyday lives.

“The best way to honour those who have served before us is to remember them, to be grateful for what we have, and to treat one another with kindness and respect,” Lieutenant-Colonel Roy concluded.

Following the address, those gathered watched an emotional Remembrance Day video titled We Will Remember Them. The presentation featured photographs spanning the First World War through to present-day military service, including images from battlefields and the solemn return home of fallen service members. The powerful imagery offered a reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by generations of military personnel.

Students from Mrs. Snider’s and Mrs. Cassibo’s Grade 5 classes then recited Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, one of Canada’s most recognized symbols of remembrance.

Mrs. Snider followed with the Ode of Remembrance, before the sounding of the Last Post brought the gymnasium to silence. Students, staff and guests observed two minutes of silence in honour of those who lost their lives in service to their country.

The Reveille followed, marking the conclusion of the solemn period of reflection.

Students representing each grade then came forward to lay wreaths in remembrance of Canada’s fallen, continuing a tradition that symbolizes gratitude, respect and the promise that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

The ceremony concluded with Mrs. Lysons’ Grade 4 class leading the singing of God Save the King.

Through their participation, St. Jerome’s students demonstrated that the responsibility of remembrance extends beyond those who have served in uniform. As Lieutenant-Colonel Roy reminded them, honouring the sacrifices of others also means showing gratitude, kindness and respect in everyday life.