Hundreds of poppies will be placed on military gravestones to ensure soldiers are not forgotten.
The second annual No Stone Left Alone poppy ceremony will take place in the military section of Fraser Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 5. More than 100 Grade 3 to 5 students from Richard McBride Elementary School will join the Royal Canadian Army Cadets RCAA 2316, St. John Ambulance Cadets, Miss New Westminster and the Hyack Festival Ambassadors, Canadian Armed Forces members from The Royal Westminster Regiment, representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion, Rotary Club, Hyack Festival Association and members of the public to place over 450 poppies on military gravestones in recognition of the sacrifices that our fallen and veterans have made serving Canada.
“Last year’s inaugural No Stone Left Alone poppy ceremony in New Westminster received overwhelmingly positive responses from attendees,” said Col. Karen Baker-MacGrotty, honorary colonel of The Royal Westminster Regiment and chair of No Stone Left Alone in New Westminster. “This year, we are expanding. I am delighted to announce the participation of four classes from our first school in New Westminster, Richard McBride Elementary.”
According to Baker-MacGrotty, students will later write a note of reflection or draw a picture to capture their feelings and learnings.
“This authentic, powerful educational experience creates knowledge, understanding and appreciation of those who serve and the sacrifice of our Canada’s military,” she said in a press release. “It helps the next generation understand the importance of remembrance.”
Community members are invited to attend the event, which takes place at 11 a.m. in the military section of Fraser Cemetery, 100 Richmond St. Following the poppy ceremony, hot chocolate and hot apple cider will be served.
“A traditional memorial service to honour our fallen has been held on Remembrance Day in the Armoury annually for the past century. Our No Stone Left Alone initiative is different as it takes place during the week prior, with an outdoor act of remembrance at the graves of our fallen and military veterans,” said Baker-MacGrotty. “I encourage everyone to attend both the poppy-laying ceremony on Monday, Nov. 5in Fraser Cemetery and the annual service on Nov. 11 in the Armoury. It is important to pay tribute to the men and women who have so valiantly served in times of war, military conflict and peace, many of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their dedication and personal sacrifices allow us to live in peace and freedom in Canada today. Lest we forget.”
No Stone Left Alone ceremonies, which take place across Canada every November, saw over 8,000 students place more than 50,000 poppies on veterans’ graves at 101 locations in 2017. For more information, visitwww.nostoneleftalone.com.
