Windsor Forks students show they will not forget

BY FRED LAWRENCE

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Windsor Forks District Elementary School has had a Remembrance Day Assembly for nearly three decades and judging by the response from the latest event held Wednesday, Nov. 7, there will be more to follow.

Although the number of WWII veterans dwindles each year, the legacy they have helped to create will ensure students won’t forget why our military deserves special respect.

Shelly King is principal and said the assembly holds a ‘special meaning’ for her. “The students do such a good job at being good and respectful toward our veterans and they know there’s something very important about the day. You can feel the difference in their attitudes and the way they behave,” she said.

Myron Phillips is a WWII veteran and said he “really enjoys taking part in the event each year. I’ve been doing this for the past 15 years and it grew each year until we got to include every school in the county. “Little kids ask questions, sometimes very hard questions, but I try and answer them without going into anything gory. They don’t need to know about that stuff at this young age. It’s great they have an interest and it makes us feel proud that we can be a part of this. And the students can have a better understanding about what war is about and how important peace is,” Phillips said. “When the little ones come up and say thank-you to me, it gets you; it really does.”

Cindy MacLennon is a parent with a son in Grade Primary and had never attended a school service before. “It’s awesome,” she said. “I’ve never seen this before; it’s amazing to see the children so well-behaved and so confident. “They have been practicing for this and I had no idea it was this well organized and just what all was involved. It’s really a great idea and it’s good for the students to know who our veterans are and what they stand for,” she said.

All participate in some way

King said all 170 students participate in some way, either through a class song or helping to set up the gymnasium. “I can tell by the quiet, reflective mood that everyone does ‘get it’ and the kids know why they’re here and who they are honoring. You can tell the child understands this is really important and what these people have done, represented by the Colour Party. We need to pay attention to this,” she said.

Cheryl Burton, secretary, plans far in advance to make sure everything comes together without a hitch. “Cheryl starts planning in the spring and makes all of the plans and does up the programs and all of the decorations, puts up the newspaper articles written about the school over the years and makes everyone feel like they’re an important part of the event,” King said. “She works very hard at this and it shows.”

The assembly highlights were songs including: ‘The Strangest Dream’, ‘Peace like a River’ and ‘Build a Bridge for Peace’ and poems: ‘Please Wear a Poppy’, ‘We Will Remember’, Let There be Peace’ and read by students.