Editors, Parker Zhang and Alissa Ahrens
This Remembrance Day, Walnut Grove Students reflect on the sacrifice our soldiers made, especially since many students have relatives who served in the wars.
As the distance of time between now and the World War widens, the need to remember the fallen soldiers becomes more important. The stories and memories they hold are getting lost; however, their legacy lives on. A descendant of a World War veteran and nurse, Sophia says she “wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for that”. She said that her great-grandfather “was a pilot who got shot down and [her great-grandmother] was a nurse”
Sophia’s story represents the situation of many: if one’s great-grandparents hadn’t survived, there’s a chance many wouldn’t exist. We owe our freedom to their service, and our lives to the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for future generations.
Annie Qin, a Grade 10 student says that “Remembrance Day is an opportunity to educate the sense of gratitude, empathy, and respect for those who served in the war, for our peace today.”
“Remembrance Day is an opportunity to educate the sense of gratitude, empathy, and respect for those who served in the war, for our peace today.”
Annie Qin
As we commemorate Remembrance Day, Walnut Grove students are committed to wearing the poppy as a sign of respect and having a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers and victims of the World Wars. Andrea Ho says that to her, the poppy represents “[a] resilient flower to represent courageous souls”.
Lily Jung, a Grade 10 student, remarked that “it’s very important to be aware of all the things that have happened in the past to not repeat it.”
War is never truly over. Its effects change over time, but history is embedded in the present and future. As Dimi Nazarov says best:
“ I recognize the freedoms I have, and reflect on the sacrifices they made so that we all have the ability to live the way we do today.”
This shows our gratitude and enduring debt to our veterans. Not only is Remembrance Day about reflecting on the suffering from war, but it also is a reminder to cherish our freedom and our independence. Remembrance Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing the many sacrifices made by the people who served, as well as awareness of the billions affected by conflict. Moreover, it ensures that the brave are rightfully honored.
