One-hundred-fifty-eight mini Canadian flags flutter along the sidewalk leading into Sunningdale School, a reminder to students, staff and visitors of the Canadians who died serving in Afghanistan.
About eight youths, five student pilots from 15 Wing, and members of Friends of the Forces Fellowship (formerly 15 Wing Fellowship) gathered at the school on Nov. 6 to set up the display. The school has been offering the visual reminder for many years, with fellowship members usually joining students to drill holes into the hard ground to plant the flags.
“It’s a very unique (activity) … it’s not the kind of thing everyone gets to have,” fellowship member Lyle Johnson said. “The Friends of the Forces are honoured to participate with students to continue that tradition of honouring the veterans of Afghanistan.”
Helping with the activity was a great way for airbase trainees to engage with the students since they could talk more about Remembrance Day and its meaning, said Sgt. Patrick Porter. Members of the airbase — especially the younger aviators and operators — will always pursue the chance to speak with students as they can also encourage the kids to join cadets and potentially the military.
“It’s a good way for kids to chart a path into adulthood,” Porter said. “It gives them good direction.”
Besides children and youths, 15 Wing also works regularly with veterans to help tell their stories and ensure civilians remember the past.
“Their experiences are important and should not be forgotten,” added Porter. “That is what we want to impress upon the kids at the school.”
Many students who planted the flags expressed their excitement in helping and their appreciation for what veterans have done.
“It was fun,” one youth said.
Continuing to erect the flags is important because it promotes Canadian history and recalls those men and women who sacrificed their lives, another student said. She pointed to a message on the school’s outside sign that read, “They gave their tomorrows so we could have our today.”
Principal Dave Osberg thought planting the flags was a meaningful activity, especially since there are many military families in the school community. The school was able to show its thanks to those military members for all they have done for Canada.
“It’s so important that kids learn those values and appreciate the sacrifices that others do for their freedom,” he remarked.
Osberg had one uncle who fought in the First World War and two great-uncles who fought in the Second World War, so this activity had great meaning for him. He noted that the school created paper poppies and stuck them to the windows, allowing passersby to remember veterans’ sacrifices as well.
Remembering Canada’s 158 war dead from Afghanistan by placing these flags was a great thing to do, said fellowship president Roy LaBuick. It gave him goosebumps and chills to see the flags lining the sidewalk. He also thought it was important to have the students — both kids and the airbase trainees — involved, especially after eight months of dealing with the pandemic.
“It’s important to remember what veterans past and present have done. We should remember them more than once a year. We should remember what they do for us every day,” he remarked, pointing out Canada has military personnel serving all over the world.
“Remembering the ones we lost is also important. It’s that much more reason to remember them.”
