As with so many things, this year’s Remembrance Day service looked a bit different. Thankfully, we were still able to come together as a school community to take a few moments for reflection and gratitude for those who served our country.

2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, with an estimated 85 million people dying as a result of the war. Millions more would have to live with the lasting impact of the war, and the devastation that followed in its wake.

This year, the global community has faced challenges we’ve never seen before. From the devastating Australian wildfires and floods, to locust infestations destroying thousands of acres of crops across Africa, to the social unrest across the US, and the global pandemic we are still coping with, 2020 has been a year unlike any other in our lifetime. While it can often feel as if we are lost, we only need to look back in our history to see how Canadians, and all global citizens, have taken on challenges and flourished in the face of adversity.

During wartime, posters were put up in public spaces to inform citizens, and, in some cases, encourage them to do the right thing. During this year’s Service, we took a look at some of these posters, including some that have been updated for 2020. Students and staff were challenged to see how we can learn from our past, and translate the spirit, tenacity, and perseverance of our history to today’s world challenges.