We Remember / Remembrance Day 2008
We Remember / Remembrance Day 2008
On Remembrance Day - ATV produced another special broadcast to pay tribute to all veterans, peacekeepers, and soldiers. The Assumption community took time to solemnly reflect upon, and honour, those who so courageously gave of themselves to a greater cause so that we could experience a better future.
This year was especially important, not only for our Canadian troops fighting in Afghanistan, but also because Assumption recognized the 90th Anniversary of the End of the First World War. In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future, and by their unselfish acts gave us the will to preserve peace for all time.
ATV’s live broadcast included an exclusive Flanders Field video, produced and edited by senior Communication student and ATV technical director, Kyle Bryden. Kyle integrated Brantford’s local veterans and Assumption students in a rendition of Dr John McCrae’s famous poem from WW1, In Flanders Fields. The video’s effect on the school community was overpowering.
We also had the wonderful opportunity and great privilege of welcoming into the ATV broadcast studio a special guest and veteran to address the school community. Mr Leo Pukulski is an 87-year-old Second World War veteran who was born in Poland. His father, a police officer in Poland, was taken away by invading Russian soldiers and killed in 1939. Following this, Mr Pukulski and his sister were taken to Russia. After witnessing his dear sister die of starvation in Russia, Mr Pukulski managed to get to England and join the Polish Brigade, becoming a member of a Scouting Platoon in 1942. After two years of training he arrived in France one day after the Allied effort to Liberate Europe. A Sergeant with the Polish Armoured Division, Mr Pukulski also served with the Canadian Corps. He served throughout Europe following the D-Day invasion and was at the Battle of Falaise. He was also active in the liberation of Holland in September of 1944.
Mr Pukulski’s address was powerful. His message to Assumption students, on why we must never forget, gave us cause to reflect on the toll that war takes on humanity and reinforced that Remembrance Day is a time to remember those who gave their life for peace and the freedom we enjoy today.
Mr Pukulski also spoke about today’s global war on an invisible enemy. He encouraged today’s youth to become involved and to be well informed through reading the newspaper and sourcing world news on the internet. He also asked students to take an active interest in war politics and to choose their leaders wisely. His final message was simply stated, “there are no winners in a war.”
The ATV technical team did an outstanding job in honouring our War Veterans and Peacekeepers while our proud students solemnly paid homage to our war heroes in a memorable and respectful manner on Remembrance Day Tuesday.
“THANK YOU” to senior Communication Technology students Kyle Bryden, Leah Jones, and Chris Radajewski for your leadership and outstanding work. Also, “Thank You” to our ATV Hosts Haley Spivey, Anthony Moniz, and Madison Gleis. Finally, “thank you” to Communication Technology students Randall Beatty, Eric Stengel, Matt Brimmer, Henry Hammond, and the rest of the ATV technical crew for another first class professional job producing this year’s tribute to those who have fought and continue to fight for peace and to protect our freedom through our Remembrance Day 2008 broadcast.
