Erickson Legion Branch #143 members, Archie Campbell and Valerie Soltys, presented students awards for the local Remembrance Day Poster and Poetry Contest. The winners were as follows:
Intermediate Colour Poster -
2nd - Jazmine Stokes, Grade 7
3rd - Talon Shingoose, Grade 7
Intermediate Black and White Poster
1st Josie Nichols, Grade 9
2nd - Lena Bird, Grade 7
3rd - Thea Beare - Grade 9
Intermediate Poetry
Ben Scorgie - Grade 9
Congratulations to our ECI winners! First place entries will now go on to the Zone Level for judging. First place winners and that level move on for Provincial judging, and then on to National.
As a show of appreciation for Erickson Collegiate's participation in the contest and for hosting the annual Remembrance Day service, Mr. Campbell presented Mr. Lee with The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Appreciation Award.
ECI and EES celebrated a very special Remembrance Day ceremony this year. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the WWI armistice. In respectful remembrance of this historic occasion, students from EES laid flags at the graves of 22 WWI veterans to honor their service, bravery, and sacrifice. Dave McLaughlin, a Canadian veteran who completed five NATO tours, two UN tours to the Middle East, and served in the Gulf War, joined the ceremony and spoke about Canada's contribution in world conflicts. He spoke at greater length to the Grade 5 and 6 students later in the day. This year's Remembrance Day ceremony was actually held on Aboriginal Veterans' Day, and the sacrifice of our community's Indigenous service members was honoured with a reading of names, through an honour song and with a blessing in Ojibway. Students also marked the occasion with a poetry reading and a special song of peace. ECI and EES would like to thank all students, community members, veterans and teachers for their respectful participation in our 2018 service.
Petty Officer First Class /Warrant Officer, Dave McLaughlin joined us for our service and later went to EES to speak to the Grade 5, 6 students about his service to our country. He came to us through the Memory Project.
He served in all three elements of service: Air Force, Army, and the Navy. He completed five different NATO operations, fought in the Gulf War, and did two UN tours to the Middle East. He was medically retired after 28 years of service. He has been awarded the UN Force Commanders Citation for Outstanding Service, Top Sailor Workups, Order of St. Johns, and Maritime Command Commendation.