In the midst of, just about posting, an October "blog", we experienced the killings of two Canadian soldiers. Warrant Officer - Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. These events stopped me in my tracks to the point that I could not submit my "blog." Despite all of the wonderful things we continue to do at "The Ridge" this tragic and horrifying news became a focal point for our students, staff, myself, our community and our country. Indeed the "ripple effect" was not only within our country but outside of our country and across the world.
As the proud daughter of a father, who served as a Lieutenant Commander of a British Minesweeper in World War 2, and as a proud Canadian and Hamiltonian, I was compelled to welcome our young, Corporal Cirillo home to Hamilton on Friday October 24th. Standing shoulder to shoulder with folks I did not know...we stood together to honour this young man, father, brother, son and cousin. This was an experience that I will never forget as a Canadian and one I hope that we all don't have to experience again. We held flags together...we quietly sang O' Canada and we cried together...absolute strangers hugging and grieving together about this unfathomable loss. We payed respects to Corporal Cirillo, at his visitation, the following Monday...by the thousands.
On Tuesday, October 28th...a contingent of Ridge Staff and students represented the 1283 students at our school, our staff and extended community at the funeral procession for Corporal Cirillo. We stood together across from the John Foote Armoury - Home of the Argyll Sutherland Highlanders with thousands of Hamiltonians and fellow Canadians. We were all deeply impacted as the procession passed by. This will forever be etched in our minds and hearts as Trailblazers and proud and strong Canadians. Our sincerest and deepest prayers and thoughts remain with the Cirillo Family and his young son, Marcus.
We, as a "Ridge Family", have not forgotten about Warrant Officer - Patrice Vincent. nor his family. His service to his country has not gone unnoticed by all of us and although the media attention was not to the scale of the Cirillo following we send our thoughts, prayers and support to his family with equal magnitude and respect.
As we approach our Remembrance Day Assemblies on November 11th we want to collectively honour all of our soldiers...service men and women. Acknowledging our diverse community, at "The Ridge," we know that members of our families and extended families may have served on behalf of other countries around the world for the cause of freedom and democracy. We honour their service too with deep respect and gratitude.
Our Remembrance Day gathering will be a very emotional one, particularly this year. On this day as
Canadians we will celebrate our freedom and thank those who have served and presently serve on our behalf. We have much to be proud of as Canadians and thank those who have made and continue to make sacrifices on our behalf.
As a "Ridge Family," we hope that on November 11th, all of you take significant time to deeply reflect, remember and thank those past and present heroes who have enabled us to have the lives that we have as "strong and free", Canadians.
We stand for Canada...we stand up for Canada and we remain "strong" for Canada and will always do so.
Lest we forget!
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