Elgin Avenue Public school had a special guest for their Remembrance Day assembly. A veteran, who was recruited at the age of 16 and served in the Korean War, attended the assembly as a guest speaker.
The veteran’s name is Private Don Biggs. He spoke about how although he was lucky and did not suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is a very real illness for soldiers. The students learned that because of technology, wars currently fought are different to those of the past.
Private Biggs also stated that the poppy is something that is given, not bought. He would always provide a person with one whether they donated money or not. He explained that he does this because it is important to wear the poppy in order to honour past and present soldiers.
The remainder of the assembly involved each class laying a wreath on a cross and presenting poems. Trumpets were played during the two minutes of silence by two students from Simcoe Composite.
Wreaths were made by each class at Elgin Avenue.
Carson Hunte, a student at Elgin Avenue, is in the Cadets and had the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Private Biggs (shown below).
Students were challenged to write down what they see when they think of peace. This was placed in the gymnasium where the assembly was held.