This is my news article from last unit. I’m not going to lie, I have been dreading doing the writing section of these blogs because I don’t write often outside of this class, and I’m a little intimidated by all these amazing poems and other things from the rest of the class. So for now I’ll just give you something I’ve got, and I read the discussion about the assembly on someone else’s blog, so this is sort of relative. Anyways, this is it:
Remembrance Day Remembered
“There are hundreds of wars occurring as we speak”
Amy Cressman
“In Flanders’ Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It is an important day to remember, reflect and respond to the horrific wars occurring in today’s world and the painful memories of the past. To commemorate this, Waterloo Oxford DSS annually holds a Remembrance Day assembly. Students gathered in the cafetorium to observe the meaningful day, lead by Ms. Feick and a number of caring students.
Remembrance Day is a well-known observation in many countries around the world. It is also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day. Along with it come many traditions, such as wearing a poppy over your heart and standing for a minute of silence and reflection. To comply with these traditions, poppies were available for students and the whole assembly stood to reflect silently.
The purpose of Remembrance Day is to remember those who died at war, either fighting for their country or as innocent civilian victims. The tradition was started in 1919 by King George V. It was specifically to commemorate World War I, as that war ended on November 11 of 1918, but as time goes on many more wars have been fought and so it is only fitting to recall them all on Remembrance Day.
“Poppies are supposed to show respect, so I’m going to show Hannah that I am full of respect,” stated one of the actors from the assembly, strewn with poppies pinned all over himself. The audience giggled, but knew how wrong he was. It is true that poppies are a sign of respect, but this is shown by wearing only one over the left breast. The symbolism of the poppy was started by John McCrae, the author of the poem In Flanders’ Fields. It is appropriate because these plants grew freely over the fields of warfare, and their red colour is suggestive of the blood shed on those fields.
Although it was meant to remember World War I, there have been so many wars, and there are continually wars raging on around all of the earth. To remind us of this, there was also a slideshow at the assembly portraying war in other places, revealing the gruesome pain and injustice of the use of child soldiers. There are hundreds of wars occurring as we speak, including in Iraq, Israel and Africa.
As students filed out of the assembly there was a somber feeling in the air. Most wore grave faces, and the assembly was successful in reminding us of others around the world. Successful in reminding us that we should be thankful for peace in our nation. In reminding us to fight to keep peace. In reminding us of the past.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders field.
