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INUVIK
Each year, more veterans from the First and Second World Wars die and media coverage of wars in the Middle East saturate the television screens, change the message of Remembrance Day for each generation. One constant message however, is the recognition of sacrifices by soldiers and their families in any conflict.

Remembrance Day will be celebrated at schools on Nov. 10 and for the community at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. The community service will include speeches, wreath-laying and moments of silence. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL Photo

"When I was in high school, the message was: if you can't remember, then think," said Angela Young, Grade 12 teacher at Samuel Hearne Secondary School. "Now I remember the generations personally impacted by current serving family members. I hope the students would be appreciative of how and what Canada is built on and that is was paid for dearly."

Samuel Hearne Secondary School will hold a Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 10, which includes a candlelight tribute to the 158 Canadian soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Along with their photos and reading their names, Young hopes this will provide a personal connection to the soldiers who have lost their lives in war.

Students will also watch a video which documents the 24 hours before the death of a soldier in Afghanistan that the soldier's family created. The students will watch the video and then write letters to the family remaining behind, in hopes of fostering a personal connection to the war.

"It was kind of ironic. In my Grade 10 class, the students were so excited about this new video game Black Ops, but then were watching a video about leadership, teams and skills, but they were talking about a game about war and killing people," Young said. "When people's sacrifice becomes entertainment, it creates distance between the emotional impact."

Inuvik's Royal Canadian Legion will also host Remembrance Day activities on Nov. 11 at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School at 10:30 a.m. Branch manager Derek Lindsay hopes the service teaches responsibility, honour and values to the younger people attending the ceremony.

While Lindsay had grandfathers who died in wars, he recognizes that for younger generations today, that loss seems distant. The First and Second World Wars started 97 and 72 years ago respectively, where more than 110,000 Canadians died and every community felt the loss.

"What Remembrance Day means to me, is it's the family connection I lost because of the wars," Lindsay said. "Today it's more anti-terrorism battles to maintain our freedom."

While media coverage of overseas conflicts, dictator assassinations and overthrowing of governments brings international warfare closer to home, it's Twitter, Facebook pages and remembrance pages for fallen soldiers that have brought soldiers deaths closer to home.

For Jessie Firth, a Grade 12 student at Samuel Hearne Secondary School, Remembrance Day is a time to remember those who fought for Canada.

"It's a way to remember this country the way it is and how people come together," Firth said. "It's just a way to cherish the memories and pay respect to those who fought."

During the two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., Firth will be thinking about the impacts war has around the world.

"It's a pretty big deal. It involves everyone," she said. "From outside in Canada to wherever around the world where things are going on."

The strongest message from Remembrance Day for Young is the coming together as a community to support the families who have given the ultimate sacrifice – the loss of a loved one. That loss could happen, even if they return from combat.

"Even if the loved one comes back, they could be changed," Young said. "That's what I love about the students at SHSS, how supportive they are in times of grief and supportive of the need for sharing in the community."

The Inuvik Remembrance Day ceremony will start promptly at 10:30 a.m. at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School with a march of the guard, followed by the singing of the national anthem and a guard salute. There will then be the opening prayers and then the laying of wreaths to remember men and women who served in the two world wars, the Korean War, Afghanistan and UN Peacekeeping missions.

The Royal Canadian Legion, Joint Task Force North, RCMP and the GNWT will then provide short addresses before the two minutes of silence. Refreshments will be served in the school lobby following the service.

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