In Memorium: Remembrances in Grade 4

Each year, our school has an assembly about Remembrance Day.  We teach the children to pause on the 11th of November to recall the sacrifices that soldiers have made in the name of peace and justice around the world.  We recall that many men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice and offered up their lives.

Fortunately, my entire class of Grade 4 students have grown up in peace in their nation of Canada.  For the most part, war and armed conflict are quite far from their consciousness.  I had the opportunity to share with them how war has personally touched my life. 

The wreath that my students in memory of my friend. They wanted me to write the plaque.

On December 31st, 2009 (my birthday), I awoke to terrible news.  Four Canadian soldiers and a journalist had been killed by a roadside explosive that hit their armoured vehicle in Afghanistan.   At first, I was simply saddened by the news but continued about my day.  An hour later, the CBC Radio news announced the names of those killed.  The second name was my friend, Sgt. George Miok.  I was shocked.  How could one of the names that so often appear on the news be my friend from Hungarian Folk Dance group and classmate from the University of Alberta?  War had now personally touched me - deeply. This was no longer the typical six degrees of separation.  Eventually, I would see my friend's casket carried along the highway of heroes in Ontario and see his tearful mother bury her son.  It was agonizing.

Since 2009, I have shared Sgt. Miok's story with my class each year.  Each year the class listens reflectively and with the utmost respect.  This year, however, my class's response touched me so deeply.  Without prompting, a small group of boys in the class, after completing their part of the wreath, started writing letters to Sgt. Miok - to thank him for his sacrifice to rebuilding a war-torn country.  Before I knew it, the entire class had begun to write George a personalized letter.  I had not asked them to do this. This was of their own volition which made this loving act all the more amazing.

The students eventually asked me to print out Sgt. Miok's picture so they could attach it to the letter.

 Here is another example of a letter that was written.

The most touching part came at the end of the day.  I was seated at my desk as the bell rang and was packing up my belongings.  At that point, three boys in the class approached me and handed me an envelope.  When I opened up, the tears I had tried to contain could not help but escape.

The heart of my students was truly displayed on this day that we took to remember.  Their empathy for how I felt losing a kind friend was demonstrated by acts of kindness.  I am thankful that George's courage and sacrifice continues to inspire future generations of leaders and helps them to pause and remember on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month.

George, you will never be forgotten nor will your bravery and selflessness.  Rest in His peace and light.