I am mesmerized by the process of creating a headstone rubbing. For each soldier we speak about, a rubbing is created of his headstone on paper for us to take home so that we can continue to tell his story and we can be sure his life won't be forgotten. Charcoal is rubbed gently over the paper to reveal the inscription on the limestone beneath, care has to be taken to ensure that the stone is left unmarked and undamaged. The rubbing begins with the edges, the outline of the stone. Then the maple leaf begins to emerge, it's serrated edges and veins forming that oh so familiar image that we Canadians proudly but quietly wear. Next is the soldier's name, rank and soldier number. I say his name to myself now, the tears begin to sting. As his date of death and age are exposed, I do the math. What was I doing when I was his age? What was important to me at that time in my life? Could I have laid down my life like he did? Lastly, the epitaph comes to life, word by often painful word..."lovingly remembered", "son, brother, husband, father", "honor, duty, faith, freedom". Tears stinging, throat tight, I read his epitaph and silently say thank you. This simple piece of newsprint paper is a powerful reminder of our time on this study tour and our hours of painstaking and mindful research about each soldier, our soldiers, "my" soldier. Each headstone is carefully and reverently revealed before me,
as each solider's story is carefully and reverently revealed by the story teller. Each painful detail, Each pass of the charcoal over the paper etches a story, a life, a maple leaf, an epitaph, into my heart. I bow my head in remembrance at each soldier's grave and my tears spill forward, disappearing into the Dutch soil. I will remember them. Chantel Parsons Teacher, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School Courtenay, British Columbia
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AuthorsParticipating educators and high school students share reflections on their professional and personal experiences during and after the program. Some posts link to the Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society's blog, Studeamus bellum causa pacis. Archives
August 2015
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