To Remember

As students flowed into the South Gym to take their seats for this year’s Remembrance Day assembly, the overhead projection displayed the names and faces of many of the family members of Greenwood students and staff who enlisted to serve. This year, we chose to highlight these stories to make personal connections with a past that grows more distant with the passage of time.

Everyone stood as Greenwood’s choir performed O Canada and the Land Acknowledgement was recited. Henry Farr ‘25 performed the Last Post and The Rouse following a moment of silence. Sarah Bruce spoke about her grandfather, who served in WWII, and the emotional price exacted upon him and his family by war. The Greenwood choir returned to perform Highway of Heroes by The Trews with solos by Mel Edgell ‘25 and Lucy Lapowich ‘25. Following Sarah Bruce’s story, Matthew Hicks ‘25 and Daniel Bender ‘23 each spoke about their family members who served in WWII. Each story revealed the incredible bravery and moral character of each person who chose to enlist and serve in WWII. 

David Merrithew, who served with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada infantry regiment and now teaches at Greenwood, also spoke at the assembly about what it meant to him to serve in the military. He emphasized that everyone can serve their community to be better in many ways – through acts of service or volunteering, or by being kind, supportive and thoughtful. Given the current conflicts that still affect our world today, each person can do their part to build a more tolerant and peaceful society. Remembrance Day is not only a day to reflect on the past and the sacrifices made to ensure our way of life, but to reflect on how our actions will contribute to a better future.