'For the Fallen', part of the 2019 Remembrance Day Ceremony at SKSS (Image Credit: SD73)
Remembrance Day 2020

Remembrance Day as meaningful as ever at SouthKam Secondary

Oct 28, 2020 | 11:09 AM

KAMLOOPS — At South Kamloops Secondary, honouring the service of our veterans on Remembrance Day is more than a quaint tradition and a required school assembly.

“It’s important to think about what the military does for Canadians, even now,” said Amy Fonesca, drama and social studies teacher. “Not all veterans are in their 90s, and Canadians are continuing to serve. It’s important to remember Afghanistan along with WWl and WWll.”

The school’s Nov. 10 ceremony will pay tribute to fallen military personnel including six members of the Canadian Armed Forces killed in a helicopter crash in Greece in late April, and Jennifer Casey, whose snowbird jet crashed in Kamloops last May, among others.

Military assistance during recent wildfire and flooding seasons in BC included personnel, equipment, airplanes and helicopters.

This year, the entire school will participate in a virtual, livestreamed ceremony. The school’s drama class and drumming group will perform on the stage at the Sagebrush Theatre, and their performance will be watched by students in their classrooms.

The pandemic is also shifting the way the Royal Canadian Legion is marking this day. The legion is asking the public to stay away from Remembrance Day ceremonies this year.

“Respect, honour, and remembrance is a state of mind and is not tied to a specific time and place,” said the Kamloops Legion website. “Under the current circumstances, and in new ways, members of the public will no doubt find personal time and space for remembrance and reflection.”

The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Legion’s FaceBook page.

“As the Keepers of Remembrance, the Royal Canadian Legion regrets having to exclude anyone from being part of the Remembrance Day Ceremony. We certainly hope this format will be a one-time occurrence. Please respect the need for a Veteran’s-Only ceremony this year, and in the spirit of our motto, this Remembrance Day will be By Veterans – For Veterans.”