Lest We Forget 1

14 November 2019Chloe C, Allard ‘21

Once every year, on November eleventh, we wear a poppy over our hearts. The poppies are the same color as the poppies that grew in Flanders Fields, between the graves of our soldiers, the color of the blood spilled during the war, to adorn left sides of our blazers. Remembrance Day is a somber holiday, recognized across Canada as the time to remember and honor those who perished in the fight for our freedom. At Brentwood, this is done through a service including stories, musical performances, silence, and traditions new and old, to remember.

Piano music resonated within the walls of the Killy Theatre as the students and staff members filed silently into the assembly. Mr Patel opened the service with the reading of the “A Distant Time” written from an old Brentonian for a classmate who had given the ultimate sacrifice as part of the Air Force in WWII, to honor and thank him. With our silence, time, respect, and thought, we do the same, for all our soldiers.

We had the honor of hearing staff and student speakers alike talk about their connections to this holiday. Mr Wismer explained the pride he felt in his name as he learned of the phenomenal things that his ancestors made for the sake of a life he could safely live. Georgia G, Allard ‘20, shared her experiences as the daughter of a military officer in the United States, and the overwhelming fear, love, and sacrifice she felt throughout her life. Her story brought the theatre to tears as she explained the relief she felt when she saw her father return at the airport, and to be able to say “He came home”.

Remembrance Day is not celebrated in all parts of the world. These traditions are, therefore, very new and foreign to some people. Katelyn C, Allard ‘21, said that, as a student from Hong Kong, “The assembly offered me a new feeling I have not experienced before. It felt like a strong bonding experience, connecting the people around me to those who are no longer here.” On the other hand, Remembrance Day means a lot more to some people as it is a part of their history. Remembrance Day at her old school was not very well celebrated, but “The Brentwood service feels like how my old school should have been; the talks really made me feel close to those who are suffering. I have more motivation to understand and remember” explained Kaliana F, Allard ‘22.

Brentwood has a bittersweet connection to the holiday, as old students of our school are amongst the names of the soldiers, fallen, injured or grieving, as the result of war. Three Prefects recited the names of Brentonian alumni who perished in the war. Upon exiting the theatre, each student and staff member pinned their poppies to the fabric that hangs over the plaque of Brentonian soldiers, to honor and thank them.

Remembrance Day is the day we come together, express our gratitude, and refuse to lose the names of our soldiers. Soldiers include those who were on the front lines, pushing themselves to the brink of death every day they fought tooth and claw for us. Others who sacrificed include the citizens, the prisoners, the children, the workers, and the animals who met an end all too early. Their sacrifices live on with us forever as we exist in their legacy, lest we forget.

Chloe C, Allard ‘21

Where Students Choose To Be