Random Island Academy Remembers Our Veterans
We were very pleased that so many of our school community could come in today and help us honour those who sacrificed so much for all of us. We were especially pleased that local veterans, Master Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Dale Benson & Corporal (Ret’d) Melissa Smith, could join us. Master Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Dale Benson is a 30+ year veteran of the Candian Armed Forces; He joined in June 1985, had many postings throughout his 30 years such as the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Armoured Regiment, NATO Forces, and the Combat Training Center Headquarters, and is currently in the Reserve Forces with the Canadian Rangers. Corporal (Ret’d) Melissa Smith had 7 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces joining in 2007 and training and serving as a medic; She was deployed to Afganistan in 2010 as a platoon medic in Oscar Company, 3rd Batallion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. She medically retired from military service in 2015. Melissa spoke to her old Alma Mater and reminded us that Veterans come in a variety of age and appearance and we are still welcoming home veterans every day from conflict. She told us why this day has a new significance for her and who she now thinks of. We greatly appreciated her message as we reflected on her journey from the classrooms of Random Island Academy to the battlefields of Afganistan…and home again.
It was also great to see so many Canadian Rangers today as they always support our services in with great enthusiasm; Blade Greening represented the 567 Random Air Cadets Squadron as well. Other special special guests included Reverend Elsie Squires, who offered our opening and closing prayers, and the Random Lions Club. The Lions presented their annual prizes for the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lion Victoria presented the following awards:
3rd place – Natalie McGrath
2nd Place – John Frye
1st Place – Jade Greening
We would also like to thank Kayla Watton for MCing the Assembly, Brooklyn Green for reading the poem, In Flanders Fields, the NL Studies 2205 class for presenting their family’s veterans, the grade 4,5,6 class for reminding us to thank veterans, Mr. Cook for overseeing the Act of Remembrance and his Reflections, and all our candle lighters. We would also like to thank our Student Council members for all their hard work and dedication; Our Senior Vice President, Sheridan Parrott and our Junior High President Hillary Ivany for the wreath layings; Sheridan also gave a beautiful performance of Sanctuary. Thank you to Mr. Mulrooney for his closing message and a big thank you to Mrs. Smith for your efforts in organizing and overseeing this assembly. THANK YOU ALL!!!
