STOUGHTON - English teacher Scott Kirkness opened the Remembrance Day service for the students and staff at the Stoughton Central School on Nov. 10.
As the students sat quietly and listened, Kirkness explained to them why this day was so important and why it should be observed.
He said the poppy was a symbol to be worn over the heart, not on caps or book bags and that only one is needed to show respect.
The poppy can be red for the loss of men and women, or purple for the animals such as horses and dogs used in the war.
Kirkness explained how wars not only changed the lives of the people who fought in them, but how they changed families.
Trenches were dug and soldiers would have to sit in them for hours or days at a time.
He said the trenches were cold, wet and dirty, and would fill with water when it rained and that rodents would move into them as well, making the lives of the soldiers even worse.
Bailey Baumgartner, Sofi Turk and Dawson Laird contributed to the service by reading poems and having the students join in.
When the sound of the bugles began, the gymnasium fell silent.
Sharon Wittig from the Royal Canadian Legion's Stoughton branch spoke about the war and how a national poster, poetry and essay contest was part of remembering this day.
An announcement for the winners would be coming soon.
She asked the older students to help the younger ones to remember what this day is all about.
Each class came forward with two students to lay a specially-made wreath in respect and honour of those who have lost their lives.
As the service ended, students returned to class to continue with their day.
