'Lest we forget' is the slogan for Remembrance Day, but it's doubtful that anyone in Drumheller will forget the sacrifices of veterans if Friday's activities are any indication.
All three valley schools held remembrance ceremonies on the 100th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Passchendaele, which claimed 4,000 Canadian lives and injured another 12,000.
At DVSS, the Writers Club got together under the tutelage of social studies teacher Alexandre Dextras for a presentation that included the stories, including the personal letters, of Canadian servicemen.
"We wanted to really convey the first hand experience of what war truly is like," explained Brandon Holden. "We can list off numbers and dates and battles all day long, but you're only going to get the real experience if you listen to first hand accounts."
Brianna Constable and Mya Ainscough were among the other DVSS readers on Friday.
"My friend invited me to Writers Club and it just kind of went from there: I've always loved writing, but this just reinforced that passion," stated Constable.
"I was pretty nervous, but you kind of just have to go for it," admitted Ainscough, who doesn't have much experience speaking to large crowds. "Public speaking is something I've always been scared to do, but it's easier when you actually do it."
The guest speaker was former teacher Lynn Hemming, who led a group of 50 DVSS students to France last year for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Students and Drumheller Sea Cadets marched in a wreath and floral cross, along with a pair of combat boots from the 2017 Vimy Memorial celebration. Entertainment was provided by the DVSS choir, band and rock band.