As an educator, Rick Boon ensured his students learned about our veterans.
Teaching continues in retirement, with Boon and a team of volunteers spending numerous hours getting set for the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Stratford Cenotaph.
Education is part and parcel with remembrance, and Boon says he is carrying on the work of his late father, Art Boon, a Second World War tank gunner.
Art Boon spent decades talking to students in area schools and helping organize the Remembrance Day Ceremony as a member of Stratford Legion Branch 8.
His message was about peace, and Rick endevours, still, to teach everyone about the sacrifices of our veterans.
“I took it upon myself to say you know what as an educator that’s what I was going to do – I was going to make sure that every child that walked into my classroom understood the importance of remembrance day and the importance of, not just on that day, but the freedom that they have everyday. ”
One of Boon’s former students is teaching at Stratford District Secondary School, and he planned to stop by there to talk to students. He was also welcoming two Grade 3 classes to the cenotaph prior to the ceremony.
There is a small local team for the many tasks that get completed and countless hours put in ahead of the ceremony.
Boon is also tasked with emcee duties on Nov. 11.
There are 83 wreaths to be laid, Boon noted, from companies, families, associations and unions.
Boon will check the names of all of the wreath bearers beforehand, and ensure the wreaths are in good shape. There are new United Nations peacekeeping ribbons to attach.
There are logistics to finalize, and dozens of phone calls to make.
It takes a team to make it all happen.
“I couldn’t put an actual number to the number of hours it takes. We start in June with the whole process. I start fundraising mid-August until after Remembrance Day.”
High school students from his baseball team in Mitchell distribute programs and help gather wreaths afterwards.
The formal ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.
Veterans, cadets, first responders and dignitaries will parade from Stratford Armouries to the cenotaph, led by Stratford Police Pipes and Drums.
O’ Canada and God Save The King will be sung by Loreena McKennitt, former Honorary Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Residents are encouraged to attend to mark the day the First World War ended in 1918 and take part in two-minutes of silence, at 11 a.m., on the 11th day of the 11th month.
Remembrance Day pays tribute to uniformed members of the Canadian Armed Forces from past conflicts and those currently serving, including peacekeeping, search and rescue, humanitarian relief, and disaster relief.
The ceremony will be broadcast on Rogers, Wightman TV and Ballinran Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
