Nearly 2,000 students, staff and members of the public attended Thursday morning’s high school Remembrance Day services at Gyro Park.
Grace Grant of Penticton Secondary School and Grace Robinson of Princess Margaret emceed the half hour service they also organized.
The first ever ceremony by the schools commemorated the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War.
For her part, Robinson felt previous school Remembrance Day services were “under appreciated” by students and decided to do something to change that, part of which was having an outdoor event.
In addition to the wreath laying, school choirs, individuals and musicians also performed along with the readings of letters from former Pen Hi student Capt. Jonathan Snyder who died while on tour in Afghanistan.
Related: Younger Canadians interested in attending Remembrance Day events: poll
Grant also sang the song The Letter her older sister wrote.
“The goal is always towards peace and ultimately away from war but we do have to acknowledge those who have helped us on our way forward to peace,” said Aaron Leaman, a Grade 12 student at Pen Hi and one of the letter readers.
Melody Kruger, a Grade 10 student at Maggie added: “Without them (veterans) we wouldn’t be able to be free to do whatever we want. We wouldn’t have all this if it weren’t for them.”
Related: Penticton students to host Remembrance Day ceremony
On Sunday, Remembrance Day, the Penticton ceremony organized by the Penticton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Prior to the start veterans and others will march from the Penticton Curling Club to the centre.
@PentictonNews
newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
MarkBrett
Send Mark Brett an email.
Like the Western News on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter.
