Thirty-five junior high students cleared freshly fallen snow from 60 headstones, Nov. 8, to reveal the names of veterans laid to rest in the Jasper Cemetery.
Each stone was then topped with a single poppy, as a gesture of remembrance and thanks.
Jasper is the first community outside of Edmonton to take part in the No Stone Left Alone initiative, created to connect Grade 8 students with the act of remembrance.
鈥淭oo often we remember our veterans on Nov. 11 and then we take our poppy off and go about our business,鈥� Robin Campbell, MLA for West Yellowhead, said during last week's ceremony. 鈥淏ut the fact of the matter is we live in one of the best provinces in the world and it's because of the people who made the dedication and the sacrifice ... that we have the ability to do what we do today.鈥�
No Stone Left Alone is the result of a family tradition, started by Maureen Bianchini-Purvis, whose parents both served in the Second World War.
When she was a child, Bianchini-Purvis began placing a poppy on her mother's grave each year, and when her father passed away, she continued the tradition with him as well.
Expanding the tradition beyond her family was the idea of Bianchini-Purvis' youngest daughter, who now has a son of her own.
From there it was a letter to the Minister of Veteran Affairs that launched No Stone Left Alone in 2011. Three years later, Bianchini-Purvis and her daughter have been recognized with Queen鈥檚 Diamond Jubilee medals and they have been asked to expand the initiative beyond Edmonton.
Jasper is the first community outside of Edmonton to have the honour of participating. Bianchini-Purvis chose Jasper because she is familiar with the community and has a good support system here, including Mike and Cyndi Day, who along with Reverend David Prowse, organized last week's event.
As well as the students, members of the Jasper Legion, town council and the community attended the ceremony.
While speaking to the junior high students, Mayor Richard Ireland said although it was a snowy day, it wasn't 鈥渁s cold or bitter as I had hoped it would be.
鈥淚 was hoping it would be so miserable out here that we would think for a moment that we were suffering, because that would help add some perspective of why we're here and what we've gained.鈥�
He went on to say he hopes, despite the cooperative weather, the students would reflect on the suffering of those who have served.
鈥淭he hope is that through this simple act of engagement, of being here in this place, of finding a headstone of a veteran, by placing a poppy, by reflecting, you will experience [a] connection.鈥�
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
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