Heritage Fair Students Part of Offical Canadian Contingent at Beaumont Hamel
In Spring 2016, the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador was approached by Veteran Affairs Canada to allow four Heritage Fair students the opportunity to join the official Canadian delegation traveling to Europe for the 100th Anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont Hamel. Candidates were chosen from Heritage Fair students who entered the Ambassador Award Program by completing projects commemorating WWI. These students were then invited to apply directly to Veteran Affairs for consideration. Students were chosen based upon criteria including: excellence of their Heritage Fair project, and their family connections to the First World War.
Lukus Oram
Age 15, Gambo
Rachel Moss
Age 12, St. John's
Sarah Mack
Age 13, St. John's
Emily Park
Age 12, Pasadena
In addition to the Newfoundland and Labrador students, the delegation includes Minister of Veteran Affairs Kent Hehr, Veterans, representatives of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Royal 22e Régiment, the Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and parliamentarians.
Key events will include commemorative ceremonies at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial on July 1 and at the Courcelette Canadian Memorial on July 2. The delegation will also participate in wreath-laying ceremonies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Adanac Military Cemetery; as well as attend a commemorative ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial, in Belgium.
Follow along on the student's journey through Facebook posts and live video on Canada Remembers, and interact as the students take over Veteran Affairs Canada's Instagram account!