OUTLOOK - The staff and students of LCBI High School in Outlook hosted a somber Remembrance Day service in the student chapel on Friday, November 8, which not only paid tribute to the departed who have served their country, but also included a special ceremony featuring one of the school's own.
A sizable turnout was on hand for the morning service, which began after the Colour Guard was welcomed and marched into the chapel.
A welcoming from Outlook Legion branch member Justin Turton included a brief history of Elizabeth Isabelle Nye, a war-time nurse who lived with her husband William Nye of Conquest. In time, Elizabeth became a self-employed nurse in the small village, and lived a solitary life after the death of her husband. Though her efforts in time of war were noted, the lonesome nature of the rest of her days painted the picture that times of war and conflict had lasting effects on those who were assumed to be unaffected.
As well, LCBI students recited an essay from Veterans Affairs Canada entitled, 'Why Remember?', which pointedly shows Canadians the importance of remembering those who gave their lives in times of combat.
"Why Remember?
We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.
These wars touched the lives of Canadians of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts: they were killed in action, they were wounded, and thousands who returned were forced to live the rest of their lives with the physical and mental scars of war. The people who stayed in Canada also served—in factories, in voluntary service organizations, wherever they were needed.
Yet for many of us, war is a phenomenon seen through the lens of a television camera or a journalist's account of fighting in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, and diaries can seem vague and unconnected to the life of their owner. For those of us born during peacetime, all wars seem far removed from our daily lives.
We often take for granted our Canadian values and institutions, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that the values and beliefs enjoyed by Canadians were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no enduring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."
By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed that their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dream of peace is realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.
During times of war, individual acts of heroism occur frequently; only a few are ever recorded and receive official recognition. By remembering all who have served, we recognize their willingly-endured hardships and fears, taken upon themselves so that we could live in peace."
Following the Act of Remembrance, two minutes of silence and the playing of Reveille, the LCBI concert choir together with the Outlook men's chorus performed 'Servants of Peace'.
A special ceremony closed out the morning, as LCBI teacher Andriy Prokopchuk was sworn in to the Royal Canadian Navy. Prokopchuk will be joining them as an intelligence officer, and officially swearing him in was Commanding Officer of the HMCS Unicorn, Lieutenant Commander Michael Su. Following the pledge spoken by Prokopchuk, the chapel full of attendees applauded, bringing a positive and uplifting moment to a morning event designated for remembrance.
