The public is invited to help Fort Frances High School honour its former students who fought in both world wars, with services slated next Wednesday (Remembrance Day) at 8:50 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Teachers Andrew Hallikas and Mark Kowalchuk revived Fort High’s Remembrance Day ceremony three years ago.
“The highlight of it is we pick six names off our war remembrance plaque–people who went to Fort Frances High School many, many years ago and fought in the war,” Hallikas said.
“[Current students] will do a one-minute biography of that student so many years ago who were probably their age in the war,” he noted. “And for those veterans who get selected who are still living, we invite them to the service.
“It’s quite a moving ceremony,” Hallikas added.
The names of the former high school students were still being selected as of press time yesterday.
The Fort Frances Highlanders will pipe in the Royal Canadian Legion’s colour party for the services. The high school band also will be on hand, as well as several student soloists.
“One of our students has written a really moving poem,” Hallikas said. “We see it kind of like a service that the youth of today can do for their community.”
Meanwhile, Hallikas said the high school is hoping to stage a third service at 7 p.m. for anyone unable to attend either of the two morning ceremonies or the one at the cenotaph.
“We want to make it open to the community because all these people were from the community,” he stressed. “It’s a really nice tribute and it’s really nice for the people of today to come out.”
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