St. Clair Catholic Honours Courage, Service and Sacrifice

On Nov. 11, students and staff across St. Clair Catholic honoured the men and women who served our country, continue to serve, and made the ultimate sacrifice.

All schools, as well as the Catholic Education Centre, held Remembrance Day ceremonies or attended services in their communities.

Before the ceremonies began, flags were lowered to half-mast at all St. Clair Catholic buildings. The ‘Last Post’ was played at each observance as a tribute to Canada's fallen soldiers, symbolizing that their duty is over and that they may rest in peace. At 11 a.m., students and staff observed two minutes of silence to remember the men and women who served their country. The end of the two minutes of silence was signaled by the Rouse, which was originally used to wake soldiers, and symbolically calls the Fallen to rise above their mortal duties and rest in peace.

St. Clair Catholic schools supported annual poppy fundraisers at Royal Canadian Legion branches across the district.

Students also engaged in classroom activities focused on learning and reflection.

“Today, and every day, St. Clair Catholic expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the brave Canadians who have served and continue to serve,” says CEO/CEdO Lisa Demers. “Through ceremonies in our schools and meaningful classroom learning, we strive to help students of all ages understand why we wear poppies and recognize the courage, sacrifice and service of our veterans.”

Ahead of Remembrance Day, National Indigenous Veterans Day was observed on Nov. 8, including locally at Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. Walpole Island First Nation honored this day on Nov. 10 with a ceremony at the Tecumseh Monument. Over 200 youth from St. Clair Catholic schools attended alongside staff, community members and veterans. The UCC choir performed during the ceremony, and students shook the hands of veterans to thank them for their service. The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, was also attendance.

Indigenous Veterans Day honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis veterans who served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. Despite facing barriers, racism and exclusion, many volunteered and served with distinction. After the wars, many returned to continued discrimination and were denied benefits and rights. In 1995, Indigenous veterans were first permitted to lay wreaths at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Today, we honour their courage, sacrifices and ongoing service in Canada’s armed forces.