Visiting George Lyman Anglin

This July, Ms. Lewell visited Vimy Ridge!  While there, she took some time to look up where George Lyman Anglin is commemorated (see his story below).  Here are some pictures from the trip.

The Canadian national memorial at Vimy Ridge. The weather there is very changeable - an hour after this picture it was bright and sunny again.

Ms Lewell points out "G.L. Anglin" on the Vimy memorial. It's pretty high up there... since she's short, she had to get a tall person to trace the name.

Detail showing the name.

Christmas Boxes to Kandahar

SJHS doesn’t just remember its soldiers from historical conflicts.  While those were undoubtedly important to our school’s history, there is a lack of immediacy that comes from the simple fact of historical distance.  Sadly, however, SJHS was also touched by the current conflict in Afghanistan, having lost of one of our alumni in 2008 to an IED.  We also remember those who are currently serving in our Forces at home and overseas.

As such, in November of 2010, Ms Lewell’s IB French Immersion Modern History 111 class put together two boxes of goodies to send to Kandahar.

Happy kids, writing Christmas cards to send to the Sandbox.

This was made possible for two reasons.  Firstly, Canada Post was offering free shipping for post to Canadian troops in Afghanistan for the Christmas Holidays.  Secondly, it happened that the husband of a high school friend of Ms Lewell’s (in a truly Saint John-style story) was posted overseas this winter, and would be spending Christmas there.  This made Ms Lewell think:  wouldn’t it be nice to send some treats from home to those troops who would be spending Christmas far away from home and their families?

The class pulled together in a truly admirable fashion, sending all kinds of books, cookies, microwaveable Kraft Dinner (who knew that was so popular?) and Tim Horton’s Gift Cards.  For indeed, there is  a Tim Horton’s at Kandahar Air Force base in Afghanistan.  There were also Christmas Cards and letters sent to the troops.  We assembled the boxes in the week leading up to Remembrance Day, and Ms Lewell posted them shortly afterwards.

A goofy shot of some really generous kids.

The boxes went on their merry way.  It takes a long time for post to get to Kandahar.  But this week we heard from our designated target.

Our guy is on the left... Actor Paul Gross is on the right. Ms Lewell is very jealous. Paul Gross! He's awesome!

Our boxes arrived safe and sound, much to Ms Lewell’s relief.   The Tim Horton’s gift cards were quickly broken into, and the crew took the time to send a photo of their enjoying a well-earned coffee break.

Coffee break in the Sandbox!

Hopefully the class was able to bring some Christmas Cheer to this crew so far from home this Holiday season.   Stay safe, guys, and come back home.

Everyday remembrance.

Every day we at SJHS are surrounded by reminders of our school’s contribution in the Great Wars of the 20th Century and the continuing conflict in Afghanistan.  The main floor of our school is dedicated to the memory of 2004 graduate, Pte. Dave Greenslade, killed in Afghanistan in April of 2008.  On that floor by the formal marble staircase entryway to the school are the plaques and memorials placed in memory of those who served and those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

This bit of often-overlooked history in our own school community is the jumping-off point for the SJHS Remembers project.  We will remember them.

 

Why we remember

Canadian troops battled savagely against incredible opposition from the Germans during the Italian Campaign.  Our men fought their way up the country, never looking back and never giving in, and they successfully secured Italy and removed the Germans from their strongholds.  We remember battles such as the one that occurred at Ortona in 1943 because of the bravery and determination the Canadians showed when faced with what seemed like impossible odds.

The Canadian landings at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944 marked a significant turning point in World War II.  We lost many men on this sandy stretch of land, but this battle was a major victory.  It marked the beginning of the end of WWII and forever the D-Day landings will be remembered as a triumph against Nazi forces

Because of the fierceness of our troops, the Canadians were able to penetrate deeper into France than the British or American forces.  Their strength and bravery was feared by the Germans.  By May of 1945 much of Europe, including western Germany, was under allied control.  But the people of the Netherlands were still deeply suffering.  The Canadians are remembered for freeing the Dutch from the Nazi regime and providing the people of the Netherlands with much needed food and supplies.

We remember our strength.  We remember our determination.  We remember our compassion.

We remember our veterans.

(This is from the Huron Park webpage)