Artwork created by a Grade 8 collaborative project from Christ the King Catholic Elementary/Junior High School

Veterans want Canadians to understand the price of freedom. They are passing the torch to the people of Canada so the memory of their sacrifices will continue, and the values they fought for will live on in all of us.

One way we can achieve this is to make Remembrance not just something we think about; rather, make it something we do. How? There are many ways: 

• Wearing a Poppy
• Saying “Thank you” to a Veteran
• Visiting a cenotaph
• Visiting the Canadian War Museum or local history museums
• Volunteering to help Veterans

Remembrance Day and Veterans' Week in ECSD

No Stone Left Alone

"No Stone Left Alone" is a heartfelt initiative ensuring that the sacrifices of veterans are remembered and honoured, particularly around Remembrance Day. It involves the laying of poppies on the headstones of military service members, symbolizing gratitude and remembrance for their service. Placing a poppy—a powerful symbol of remembrance—beside each headstone signifies a commitment to acknowledging every individual who has served. The initiative brings together students and community members, building an understanding of the sacrifices made for freedom and peace and ensuring that the memories of those who served are kept alive and their contributions to history are not forgotten.

WATCH BELOW: Annunciation Catholic Elementary Students are among many ECSD schools participating in the 2023 No Stone Left Alone

St. Joseph Catholic High School

Since 1946, St. Joseph Catholic High School has held a Remembrance Day ceremony to honour the sacrifices made by so many. 512 staff and students served in WWII. 49 students never made it home. 

When the war began in 1939, numerous students from the then-boys-only school paused their studies to enlist. Throughout the war, both students and staff joined the forces, primarily aligning with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, whose headquarters were located three blocks east of the school. Their service extended across Europe, Asia, and the seas.

A memorial in the middle of the foyer at the school pays tribute to the fallen and honours the sacrifices.

Veterans' Week - November 5-11

Each year during Veterans’ Week, from November 5 to 11, Canadians remember and honour the brave individuals who served our country in the past, and we recognize those who serve in uniform today.

Generations of brave Canadians have served in uniform to help defend peace and freedom. Our military personnel perform many important duties here at home. They have also deployed to dozens of countries to take part in wars, conflicts, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations and other military efforts.

2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This commemorative poster features two crew members of a RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopter looking down on HMCS Montréal in April 2022. The Canadian warship and helicopter air detachment were serving in the Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation Reassurance. This longstanding military effort supports our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Central and Eastern Europe.

Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day are special times to honour those who have served our country over the years. How will you recognize and remember the brave Canadians who have done so much to help others?

Indigenous Veterans

November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country.

While exact statistics are difficult to determine, the rate of Indigenous participation in Canada's military efforts over the years has been impressive. These determined volunteers were often forced to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform, from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences to having to travel great distances from their remote communities just to enlist. The challenges they faced often extended to their post-service life. Many Indigenous war Veterans would not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans.