(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

we will remember them

Thurber Remembrance Day ceremony once again amazes in honouring those who’ve served

Nov 8, 2022 | 4:53 PM

For the first time since 2019, a rousing, tear-inducing service of remembrance like ones the school had become acclaimed for hosting pre-pandemic, took place at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School on Tuesday.

Though the ceremony honoured all veterans, the theme this year was ‘Honouring inspiring women.’

Among the ceremony’s segments, there was a performance by the impeccable Thurber symphonic band to honour those fighting and who’ve died in Ukraine, and there was a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who herself served in WWII as a mechanic and truck driver. Another segment honoured women who’ve served in all conflicts over the decades.

The Thurber choir was also exemplary on multiple occasions.

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Sharon Schultz, Remembrance Day Committee Chair, says there’s a lot of relief in being able to put the usual standard of ceremony on once again.

“We worked equally hard the last two years to ensure students are fully aware and know to observe the importance of Remembrance Day,” Schultz notes. “We used to have three ceremonies over at the Memorial Centre, and then we got our bigger gym several years ago, and the idea came to have one big one. Our attendance today was about 2,100.”

Schultz says the ceremony’s planning begins in February or March.

More than 200 students are involved from band to motion media.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“What I’m most proud of is definitely the observance that these young people show, even if they’re not very familiar with what it’s about. Their respect, to this day, is phenomenal, and I hope people who attend see what the potential is for students at that age to put something like this together and observe.”

For Schultz, this was her final ceremony as retirement awaits. After the ceremony, she was gifted with flowers and surprised with a letter of thanks from Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Colonel Chris Shapka with the Royal Canadian Air Force reads a letter of thanks to Thurber Remembrance Day ceremony Chair Sharon Schultz, from RCAF Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, alongside Thurber Principal Chris Good.

The live stream of the ceremony can be re-watched on the school’s YouTube channel.

Schools held ceremonies Tuesday in advance of a fall break which starts Wednesday.

Ceremonies elsewhere in central Alberta on Nov. 11

Blackfalds

-Cenotaph/Abbey Centre (4500 Womacks Road) – pre-seating at 10:25, service to start at 10:45

Red Deer

-Servus Arena (4725 43 Street) – 10:30

Innisfail

-Cenotaph (50 Street and 49 Avenue – 10:30

Lacombe

-Breakfast to precede ceremony at Lacombe Legion Byron Greff Hall (5138 49 Street) – 8-10

-Ceremony at Memorial Centre (5214 50 Avenue) – 10:30

Ponoka

-Parade from ATCO (4213 Hwy 2A) to Legion Cenotaph (2911 Hwy 2A) – 10:15 start, then Cenotaph ceremony at 11

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