Those who do not learn the lessons of history are then doomed to repeat them.
The atrocities and devastation wrought by the First World War led to the creation of Remembrance Day so that these lessons would not be forgotten. The day evolved from Armistice Day, which commemorated the armistice that led to the cessation of hostilities on November 11, 1918.
As part of making sure young people continue to learn about Remembrance Day, our history of war, and the sacrifices of veterans, the Royal Canadian Legion hosts poster, literary, video, and public speaking contests for students.
Jim and Jodi Yates of Hagersville Legion co-ordinate youth education for all branches in Zone B-1, which includes 10 legions in the Haldimand and surrounding area.
Jim explained, “Legions believe educating our youth on the high cost of their freedom is one of our most important roles in Canada today.”
“We must impress upon young people who have never known war, that freedom was won at the cost of many lives – young lives like their own,” he added. “There is nothing more important than youth education.”
Jodi said she wanted children to consider and think about veterans as well the current active service personnel.
Contests are open to all local students, including those who are in a home school program.
Cash prizes and pins are awarded. Winners progress through levels of competition with a top prize of a trip to Ottawa. In Ottawa, winning students are introduced to dignitaries and their work is displayed.
Yates said there will be local contests held at each of the nine local schools. After that, he said, the first-place winners will all compete at the district level and then upward to zone level. Last year they got about 60 local entries and around 1,588 entries across the entire zone.
First place entries in both the colour and the black and white poster contests will be displayed at the Canadian War Museum from November until October of the following year, noted Yates. He added that second and third placed posters will be displayed in the foyer of the Parliament building during the annual members period in November.
“We had quite a few entries last year locally,” he noted. “It’s just stunning, the art.”
“There is no greater honour than a child producing artwork or poetry while thinking of our veterans. There is a lot of work that goes into the posters,” he said, adding some children donate their work to be displayed during Veteran’s Week.
Jim said he has been involved with the youth program since 1997. At that time, he recalled, there were less poppies in school.
“Over the years we encouraged the children, and we’ve encouraged the teachers,” he said.
“Now we barely get a word in edgewise,” he joked.
In total, he said, the pair makes 18 stops at local schools and retirement homes.
