Earlier in the morning, Air Cadets Travis Gourlay and Zac Froom, joined by Army Cadet Jake Newman, acted as an honour guard at the WDHS War Memorial. Air Cadet Adam Brierley acted as Mr. Barnhard’s aide-de-camp during the visit.

Kaitlin Juraschka and Nick Bridges, members of the S. O. L. I. D. club, opened the assembly with a brief overview of the havoc wreaked by war and the far-reaching possibilities of a peaceful future. They then turned the assembly over to Mr. Barnhard, or “Barny” as he prefers to be called.

As Barny took to the podium, silence fell over the audience. With the help of six students he shared his memories from the war. He spoke of those he had lost, and those he saw triumph in a time of great despair. Using visual aids, Barny recited many stirring poems, written by Canadian soldiers during times of war.

Thoughts on Remembrance Day were given by Vice Principal Wendall Gillis and WDHS Student Prime Ministers Amanda Geiger and Amanda Weldon.

Before Barny concluded the assembly, the entire school participated in a moment of silence, followed by O Canada. Barny then recited the “Act of Remembrance,” a short stanza that can only be spoken by a veteran:

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them.

WDHS thanked Barny for his willingness to share his experiences and wisdom, concluding the Remembrance Day Assembly.