‘Our freedom wasn’t inherited, it was earned’: Edmonton’s youth keep memories alive with Remembrance event

Students took the opportunity to gather and reflect on the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers as part of No Stone Left Alone.

An organization dedicated to honouring those who served in the Canadian military hosted its 15th annual remembrance ceremony on Wednesday morning, this time with an emphasis on the youth who want to do more than lay a poppy to remember.

No Stone Left Alone (NSLA) was founded by Maureen Bianchini Purvis, the daughter of Canadian WWII veteran Lillian Mary Bianchini.

“We’re extremely proud of what we do,” said Randall Purvis, who is both Maureen’s husband and the vice chair of NSLA. He said it was her idea to, this year, have kids take the lead in the event.

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“The children that got to speak today were so engaged. They did such preparation, and we’re extremely excited about the next few years, because I believe it’s going to be a standard in the future,” he said.

Children who partook in the ceremony wrote reflection letters designed to create appreciation for the lives they live in Canada and the service and sacrifices of the Canadian Armed Forces, he added.

“We should always remember how they fought for us and that they matter,” said Ashley, a Grade 6 student whose great-grandpa was a war-time pilot.

Jolandis Rain-Rabbit, a Samson Cree Nation dancer, performed at the ceremony to commemorate soldiers from his nation and “all other nations in Alberta as far as the Eastern ocean to the Western ocean.”

“We dance in honour for them, for those who lost their lives,” the high school student said.

He and Purvis both said each year’s ceremony brings out more Indigenous culture to recognize and honour their part as soldiers and supporters in the war.

For military veteran Patrick Breckenridge, the idea of involving children actively in Remembrance Day ceremonies is a great way to keep memories alive.

“I think the No Stone organization, one of the things is that it’s not just realizing that it’s about remembrance, it’s really education and empathy,” he said. “(Kids) learn what sacrifice really means. They learn that our freedom wasn’t inherited, it was earned.”

Breckenridge joined the Canadian Reserves in 2006 with medical unit 15 Field Ambulance, headquartered in Edmonton. He had two deployments in Afghanistan, one in Latin America and one in Iraq.

Remembrance Day will be marked Nov. 11. The NSLA’s events leading up to the day alone span tens of thousands of students across nine countries.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Gates Guarin, Evan Klippenstein