On a windy and cool fall day community members, NDDHS staff and students gathered to construct a “Field of Crosses” designed to remember those from our local area who had paid the supreme sacrifice on our behalf. From the left: Ms. April Richmire, Mr. Andrew Whitton, Julia Coooper, Sam Dean, Haydon Munshaw, Mr. Kevin Bell and Mr. Scott Reaney are seen in what will be a focal point of the commemoration of those who fell in service to their country. Thompson Goddard Photo

MAPLE RIDGE – Over the past year students and their teachers at North Dundas District High School (NDDHS) have been working together to create a reminder of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in times of conflict from our area.

Over the past year under the leadership of Kevin Bell, who has since retired from his teaching career, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108 in Winchester Poppy Campaign Chair Shawn Doolan, teachers April Richmire, Andrew Whitton as well as support from NDDHS teacher Scott Reaney and in collaboration with students and staff at the high school this Real World Learning project is nearing completion.

“As the new principal at North Dundas DHS, I am extremely proud of the work that began last year and continues this year on the ‘Field of Crosses’ project. This is happening because of the dedicated efforts of many of our students and staff, both past and present, as well as the amazing support and initiative of the Winchester Legion – Branch 108. I cannot think of a better example of ‘making history come alive’ through the lens of Real World Learning. This amazing project will culminate with our formal service of recognition occurring on Fri., Nov. 8 on the front lawn of our school.” said NDDHS principal Trent Carter-Edwards in an email to The Record.

Throughout the school day on Nov. 1 Reaney and Bell, with the assistance and support of Doolan, as well as several staff members and students worked to create the display which will be the focal point for a Ceremony of Remembrance on Fri., Nov. 8. With their teachers, students designed and created the crosses as well as the pegs to hold them in their classes. The crosses contain the name, rank and unit of our fallen and were placed row on row in the front lawn of the school where people would be able to view and remember.

Student Sam Dean’s contribution to the project was the design and building of the crosses and pegs along with Hayden Munshaw, with Julia Cooper doing research into the fallen. All three were part of the group of 20 students who assisted teacher April Richmire in affixing the information, which had been cut by Richmire from vinyl, and in a lay-out designed by students in the Inter-Disciplinary Course of Kathi Poirier.

“When the students were putting the vinyl on the crosses, they asked if they could do ‘their soldier’, the one they’d researched.” said Richmire.  She continued this showed how they became quite involved in the project.

Cooper mentioned she enjoyed learning the stories associated both with those who had served their country as well as the communities they called home. Munshaw mentioned he enjoyed creating the pegs for the crosses in his manufacturing class, with Dean stating he enjoyed the process of designing the different parts of the display.

Munshaw commented he had “gained a better grasp of the machines” used during conflicts as well as the process whereby obstacles could be overcome. Learning about the story of those who had served and died and their families was an important outcome for Dean, with Cooper mentioning she discovered the service of her own family members in the Armed Forces and like Dean realized the importance of the stories behind the men and women.

“I am so proud of the work the manufacturing class, under Andew Whitton’s guidance, did with the design and building of the crosses and bases. Along with April Richmire’s leadership with the labeling, the final product is amazing.” commented Bell in an email.

He noted a large portion of the project involved the construction of the bases and the crosses, explaining each person’s cross will have a QR code attached to it which will connect to the individual’s completed biography noting how currently all the World War One servicemen are completed, with research continuing by students until everyone has a biography showing the many facets of their lives.

Learning about the service of members of Canadian Armed Forces, both in peacetime and during times of armed conflict, provides an opportunity for people of all ages to reflect and appreciate the many sacrifices our men and women in uniform make on our behalf.

More information on this project as well as biographies of our fallen can be found on the website of RCL Branch 108 located at www.winchesterlegionbranch108.com/north-dundas-field-of-crosses.