Remembrance Day

Written by: Zara Ahluwalia, Emily Morano, and Leena El-Said

Photo by: Kasey Ottewill

Contributor: Serena Chaudhary

Remembrance Day, originally known as Armistice Day, takes place to commemorate the Armistice Agreement that ended the First World War. The first official Remembrance Day was observed in England by the British Commonwealth in 1919. Every year there is a moment of silence held to honour soldiers and veterans, including the 2,300,000 Canadians who served throughout Canadian history and more than 118,000 who died while sacrificing their lives for our freedom. On Friday, November 11, the Blakelock community came together for the first time in over 2 years for an in-person assembly to honour Remembrance Day.

The morning of November 11th, students were called into the gym as anticipation ran high for this honored event. As students, teachers and staff entered and took their seats, a sea of poppies was visible in the crowd, pinned over the hearts of the TAB community. 

Organized by the Music Department Head Mrs. Abbott, three Grade 12 student speakers presented the assembly: Baran Nadalizadeh, Ava Maleki, and Tyler Barrett. It consisted of a Land Acknowledgement for the Indigenous Peoples, a heartfelt slideshow to pay homage to all the brave and fallen soldiers, the recitation of poem In Flanders Field in English and French, and finally a moment of silence to acknowledge and reflect on the sacrifices of our veterans.

Following this, the senior Wind Ensemble band, conducted by Mrs. Abbott, performed the two lyrical pieces they had rehearsed in preparation for this event: Filum Vitae and Amazing Grace; The Last Post. Filum Vitae, meaning “the thread of life” in Latin, was a heartfelt piece featuring emotional melodies composed by Kenley Kristofferson. Amazing Grace/The Last Post was a slow moving but complex piece, featuring Grade 12 student and trumpet player Caleb Dmytruk-Wilson. Senior band member Sydney Yoanidis expresses that the highlight of the event was being able to play these pieces that [the band] had worked on. 

After the assemblies came to an end, Mr. Dawson, Blakelock’s principal, took to the announcements and motioned for one final moment of reflection nearing the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month - concluding the events of the day. 

 Remembrance Day is a solemn but ceremonial occasion at Blakelock - one highly valued by many in the community as it has continued to be a tradition at the school. Lest We Forget.