Published December 8, 2023

Chelsey St. Pierre – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The 17th joint Remembrance Day Ceremony took place at Memorial field, located on the campus of John Abbott College on November 9th, despite the hail storm.

Students and staff from McGill University – Macdonald campus, John Abbott College and Macdonald High School attended the event along with students and staff from Edgewater, Dorset, St-Patrick’s, Birchwood and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary schools.

The ceremony was largely attended despite the weather conditions giving a whole new meaning to “rain or shine” and adding to the overall message of importance in commemorating Canadian veterans.

Bag pipers led the groups from Macdonald High School and McGill to the athletic field at John Abbott.

Students from MacDonald High School’s senior band braved the sub-zero temperature playing their instruments bare-handed while seated without overhead coverage from with hail fall. “We are very honoured to be here today especially in these conditions (where) it not easy to play but these kids are amazing troopers. I am very proud of them,” Stephane Crete, Music teacher at MacDonald High School, told The Suburban.

“Today we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed served and died for our freedom. We salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget. We remember the doctors and nurses who tended to the wounded. The parents who watched their children suffer, the children who lost their parents, the young men and women who never had the chance to experience their adulthood. We remember the sacrifices made to allow us to be here today,” MacDonald High School principle, Dion Joseph, stated in a heartfelt speech.

Scroll to Top