I was playing with the band group in the gym. Everyone was watching us. When the choir would sing I would look out into the crowd. Everyone, the whole school sitting there. I see grade eights wearing hats still. Going against the rules. Lights above us are lit so we can see the music. We are waiting and ready for our next song.
I see people talking to each other. I start thinking ' What are these people doing? They should be listening to us. Do they know how important this is?' And than I start thinking to myself 'Do I know how important it is?
I was born in The Netherlands. Germany attacked us in World War Two. Canada and France fought with our army to save us. We beat Germany in the war. If it wasn't for the help of these people. The people that died, got wounded and some lived. The people who gave us there lives. The people that made this beautiful country free! The people that if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be alive. I wouldn't be alive, you wouldn't be alive.
So think about it. On the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th hour, please, stop were you are, stand, wait, don't talk. Just stand still. Stand still for two minutes of silence. Just two minutes people. Thank our Canadian soldier's. Thank them for giving you this life. This family and these friends. Think about how life is now, and how it would be if these people didn't fight for our country. And for the Netherlands where I was frorn and where life saving science has been found. And France where good things also come from. If it wasn't for these people, for these countries we wouldn't be alive. Thank these people for giving their lives to us, to the country.
Think about it, would you give your life to this country? To these people? Just two minutes! I beg you! Be silent for two minutes! And thank these people. I will be in Prince George in a store but I... don't... care. I will stop what i'm doing and stand there in silence, for two minutes. What will you be doing? You shall stop in your tracks and think, think quietly about the people who fought for the country. Who fought for your lives. Please just wait, wait for two minutes and think about it. Thank You for reading this. Please as I said, stop in your tracks and think about it. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Thank you for reading.
Editors Note:
Though Remembrance Day has come and passed, this letter from Fenna Nellen, 14, illustrated the viewpoint of a high school student on the ceremonies so well, that it had to be published in the Omineca Express as soon as possible.