HALIFAX – Residents of a Halifax neighbourhood and students at a local school see a reminder every day of those who sacrificed everything for freedom: street signs bearing the names of fallen soldiers.
On Friday, students at Westmount Elementary School held a ceremony to remember 10 local soldiers who died in the Second World War.
Grade 6 students were paired with Grade 1 students to teach them about the soldiers. The older student read a brief description of each soldier while the younger student carried his portrait, then they placed the portraits on an easel at the front of the gym.
Students who participated in the ceremony said that the soldiers need to be remembered.
“We wouldn’t be here every day if it weren’t for these people,” said Sophia Wedderburn.
READ MORE: Global News Remembrance Day coverage
“They gave freedom to this world and they risked their lives for it,” said Isaac Ferguson.
“I’m happy they risked their lives to save u,s but sad they had to die while doing it,” said Burnley Jones.
Grade 6 teacher Maurina Fougere said she felt compelled to organize a special ceremony since the streets are in the same neighbourhood as the school, which is located on Edward Arab Avenue.
She also said she hopes it’s a memory the students never forget.
“They will know the rest of their lives why those streets were named what they are named. They will know the history behind it,” she said.
MLA Patricia Arab, a relative of Edward Arab, also attended the ceremony.
Arab heard stories of her “Uncle Eddie” growing up and said the gesture was poignant for her personally and her family.
“Their names are still relevant. There’s a whole generation of kids who know them and know their stories and that means a lot to me,” she said.
Recently the municipality added plaques reading “Lest we forget” to the street signs bearing the soldiers’ names.
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