Local students joined community leaders Monday to pay tribute to military veterans as the Rotary Club of Stettler hosted its annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery.
The Nov. 9 event marked an expanded effort for the local initiative, bringing together students from Christ King Catholic School alongside youth from William E. Hay Secondary Campus for the first time.
Together, the students partnered with Rotarians and local Legion members to place poppies on the headstones of military members buried at the cemetery.
The ceremony began with the marching of the colours led by the Royal Canadian Legion.
Stettler Mayor Gord Lawlor and County Councilor Larry Clarke delivered remarks reflecting on the legacy of local service members and the importance of remembrance to the next generation.
Local air cadets performed a reading of In Flanders Fields and played the Last Post, followed by a moment of silence.
The Stettler RCMP then participated in the flag-raising ceremony, which was followed by wreath dedications from local groups.
The initiative is designed to engage Canadian youth in active remembrance by placing poppies on headstones across the country.
No Stone Left Alone launched in 2011 in Edmonton and has grown to involve thousands of students placing poppies in cemeteries across Canada every November.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
