The No Stone Left Alone Memorial is a Canada-wide initiative that aims to give students and youth an immersive experience that helps them recognize the sacrifices veterans from their communities have made.  

This marks the fourth year that Estevan has participated and with a turnout of around 45 students, the organizer Elyse Mantei stated that she will continue to run the event for years to come. 

Mantei explained that this is an event that is near and dear to her as her father is a veteran and helps to run the No Stone Left Alone event across Saskatchewan. 

Following the presentations and the laying of the wreath the students were asked to place a poppy on the headstones of the soldiers laid to rest in the cemetery. This acts as a visual representation that these soldiers will continue to be remembered for their service for years to come. 

Craig Bird, president of the South East Military Museum, emphasized the importance of continuing to educate the community.  

“I think it's important that we educate the youth of today as a lot of the kids aren't taught any of this stuff in school and the meaning of Remembrance Day and, the veterans that served in our community. We need to do something to educate them so that the veterans aren't forgotten.”  

Bird has also talked at Southeast College. He noted that people who have recently come to Canada may have celebrated Remembrance Day in a similar manner to these ceremonies, and in other instances their home countries may not have been involved in any European wars at all.

Bird noted some major historic milestones, that Canadians should reflect on this Remembrance Day. 

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement which happened in 1953.  

Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day which was a big turning point in the Second World War. 

The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is in 2025. 

“A lot of World War II veterans are gone, most remaining are in their late 90s and hundreds, and there will be a time when they’re not around. And I think it is important that we take up that mantle,” Bird concluded. 

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