Once again, South Delta Secondary Interact Club members, with the help of Tsawwassen Rotarians, placed more than 40 white crosses along 56th St. Monday afternoon.
It’s a simple reminder of the sacrifices made by so many and perhaps all the more poignant this year when the usual Remembrance Day community observances have to be cancelled.
In order to remain safely distanced, a smaller group of students than in the past from the SDSS Interact Club placed dozens of small white crosses on the lawn at the Kiwanis Longhouse in Tsawwassen to mark Remembrance Day. Bearing the names of fallen soldiers, as well as a poppy for each, the crosses honour Delta veterans of past wars.
A number of passersby stopped to offer thanks while they were at work and even a few drivers honked in appreciation, prompting Interact Club co-president Joelle Hamilton to say, “I’m really glad that we’re still able to put this together this year. It feels good that we can show our community and veterans that we don’t take their sacrifices for granted.”
Fellow Grade 12 student and co-president Devon Matson said, “the crosses make us reflect and compare today’s challenges and restrictions around COVID-19 and contrast it with what happened in a conflict like The Second World War. It really changes our perspective when you think about it that way.”
The Interact students will also participate in the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen’s virtual Remembrance Day themed meeting this week and, like all SDSS students, will observe ceremonies at school.
Interact clubs are Rotary International service clubs for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.
According to Rotary, each year Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill.
Rotary notes it’s one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas. Almost 200,000 young people are involved.
