Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is a memorial day that honours the armed forces member who lost their lives in WW1, and the brave veterans who survived. It takes place on every year on the 11th of November, and respects are paid by having a moment of silence on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, November 11).

John McCrae Secondary School is no stranger to remembrance day, as the school’s namesake is Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a doctor in WW1 who wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” after witnessing the death of his close friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

In 2022, John McCrae was privileged enough to hold an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony without Covid-19 restrictions that had previously been holding it back. First was a ceremony in the gym that students in grade twelve and nine were able to watch. The ceremony was led by grade twelve students, and featured musical performances from many different students.

John McCrae was also able to hold an outdoor ceremony near the main entrance where members of the public were welcome to watch. Wreaths were laid near the grave and two plaques. Cadet band members formed a marching band and performed outdoors during the ceremony.

Remembrance Day is an incredibly important day in Canadian history, where we get to reflect on the sacrifices made for us by incredibly brave men and women for our country and freedom today. It is important to remember the people who gave their lives for us, and continue to learn about our history in war.