By Sheldon Spackman

Hunting Hills students hosting Veterans Dinner

Nov 3, 2018 | 6:00 AM

Dozens of local veterans and students will gather at Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer Monday night for the school’s annual Veterans Dinner.

An event described as a dinner celebration held in recognition of Canadian veterans who have served or are currently serving with the Canadian Military.

Jonathan Davies, Leadership Program Teacher at Hunting Hills High School says the event is an idea that students came up with a number of years ago.

“They kind of thought that we do our Remembrance Day ceremony for the students but there’s nothing as a way to show their recognition and thankfulness for those who have served,” explains Davies. “So they wanted to put on a dinner and so it’s kind of really cool, it’s grown and grown every year, so this year instead of having a buffet, the kids are actually serving the meal. They said that that was a really important thing for them.”

Davies says the food will come from the school’s cafeteria, with the cost largely being covered from admissions from other school events such as dances.

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“They put on this great big turkey dinner and it’s going to be a three-course meal,” states Davies. “After the dinner, there will be a few student performances and then a gift at the end of it. In about five years we’ve probably had about 60 veterans and then of course, they bring a guest and this year we have about anywhere between 25 to 30.”

Davies says the feedback they get from veterans each year is very positive.

“They’re always really, really impressed with the behavior and the etiquette of the kids,” adds Davies. “A lot of our veterans say you hear a lot about this generation on their cell phones. It’s easy to hear the bad things about young kids but they say an event like this really shows you that there’s a lot of good leaders and good students in this generation and they’re always kind of blown away by the entertainment.”

Davies points-out the event also has the students and veterans sitting together while they eat, a scenario both students and veterans wouldn’t normally get to experience.

“I think it gives the students a little bit of understanding of our community,” states Davies. “A lot of times we talk about community and it’s hard for them to see it outside of the school building. So when we get to invite veterans from the community into our school, I think it kind of broadens their horizon a little bit to some of the realities of what happens outside of our walls.”

Davies feels the event helps bridge the large generation gap between veterans and students.

“We do have a veteran from WWll but lots of our veterans come from Afghanistan and the Korean War,” adds Davies. “At first I thought the kids are going to learn a lot from our veterans but I think it’s kind of reciprocal. I think it’s one of those opportunities that’s pretty rare to have a group that’s served and that’s quite a bit older working and talking and sharing with our students.”

Davies says the Veterans Dinner held at Hunting Hills High School each year is open to as many veterans as possible from the community who are able to attend.

He encourages those interested to contact the school in advance.