Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day

Remembering Our Veterans 

Held every year on the 17th of August, last Thursday was the Vietnam Memorial, where our principal Mr. Mitsinikos and three of our college captains; Naome Cummins, Gemma Stemp and myself were invited to remember and honor all the veterans who gave their lives in service of their country. The testimony was held inside the foyer of the community hall in high street this year, where we were greeted by some of our local and federal politician’s as well as our mayor; Sophie Ramsey. We were then treated to a beautiful, performance of ‘you raise me up’ by a local singer. After which we all stood while the last post was played, only to have our traditional one minute of silence; a moment of pure reflection and commemoration of all the noble soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam battle, as well as all that fought and survived.

Everyone was thanked for their attendance and we united together to sing the National Anthem before moving outside where we would then pay our respects by laying a wreath from our school with the help of Staughton’s representative, Ethan. This then concluded the end of the service and we were given the chance to have a few conversations with some of the people who attended. For me this ceremony was an opportunity for all those who had lost someone in the Vietnam war, to experience at least a minute of calm in this restless world. The experience was enriching and I believe that these events genuinely honor the fallen soldiers but also help people to understand the complete, devastating effects that war and loss can have on not only a person, but a country. These memorials are what truly keep our soldiers alive so lest we forget.- Olivia Koci