Our Lady of Fatima Catholic school Grade 7 and 8 students helped lay crosses at Elliot Lake’s Woodland Cemetery in advance of this week’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The crosses were laid during the last week of October at the graves of veterans and the students assisted members of the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 561 in the traditional ceremony to honour deceased veterans and their families.
“The school is hoping to have students take this on in coming years, as it becomes more difficult for veterans and Legion members to complete this important task for our local community," stated a news release issued by the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board. “Students laid the crosses with the help of Legion members and gathered for a prayer and moment of silence to remember and honour all those who died or have been affected by war.”
Assisting at the cross laying was School Liaison OPP Officer Phil Young, and AJ Bus Lines donated a bus to transport students to and from the cemetery.
Also helping-out was the Foodland grocery store which donated cupcakes and Tim Hortons which provided hot chocolate for the students to enjoy when they returned to school.
Teacher Mark Frolick noted in the release that his students, “were privileged and honoured to participate in helping the Legion to lay the memorial crosses. We look forward to helping in years to come and supporting the Legion in honouring veterans and their families from our local community. This experience is one the students will never forget and will help to make Remembrance Day even more meaningful and personal. We will remember them.”
Following Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, the Grade 6/7 class from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School will travel to the cemetery to gather all the Legion crosses from the grave sites before the winter season.