Maidstone Schools Host Remarkable Remembrance Day Ceremony Featuring Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan

Submitted by Northwest School Divison

Students, staff, families, and community members in Maidstone experienced a truly memorable Remembrance Day ceremony on November 7, 2025, as Maidstone High School and Ratushniak Elementary School came together to honour Canada’s veterans in a powerful and meaningful way. The joint service was led by Maidstone High School’s Grade 12 class, under the direction of History teacher Mrs. Wicks, and by Ratushniak Elementary School teacher Mrs. Bellin.

The ceremony brought together many honoured guests who joined the Colour Guard, including members of the Maidstone Legion and Ladies Auxiliary, Cst. Vincent Lui of the Maidstone RCMP, Maidstone Mayor Brennan Becotte, School Community Council representatives Raewyn Fritz and Crystal Seguin, Ben from the Air Cadets, Eileen Anderson from the Maidstone Museum, and Saidai from Girl Guides. Their presence added depth and community connection to the morning’s events.

Adding to the significance of the day, Her Honour, the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre, S.O.M., Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, made a historic visit to Maidstone to attend the school ceremony. Accompanied by her Aide-de-Camp Rod Stafford, the Lieutenant Governor flew into Lloydminster specifically to join Maidstone High School at their invitation. As the direct representative of His Majesty King Charles III in Saskatchewan, she carries out many of the constitutional and ceremonial duties of the Head of State in our province.

During the ceremony, Her Honour delivered a heartfelt address that resonated deeply with students, staff, and community members. She spoke about the importance of volunteerism, the responsibility we all share in knowing our history, and the significance of remembrance in our lives today. After the service, she spent time visiting with students and community members, showing genuine interest in their experiences and reflections.

The Grade 12 class was also invited to a formal dinner with Her Honour, where she presented each student with a Lieutenant Governor’s Pin — a distinguished honour that can only be received directly from the Lieutenant Governor herself.

Throughout the ceremony, students shared personal stories of the family members they wished to honour. Their messages added an emotional and authentic element to the program. One student, Noah, concluded his tribute by saying, “Thank you Great Grandpa for your service. I am proud to be called your great grandson.” Another student, Sophie, told the moving story of her great-uncle who flew 62 missions over German airspace before being shot down. Though he survived the crash, he was later found and killed — and on that same day in Canada, his photo fell from the wall at home, giving his father an unexplainable sense of loss. Sophia shared how her Great-GreatGrandfather narrowly survived an artillery strike when he moved from a crater moments before it was hit; he believed from that day forward that he was spared for a reason — to pass on his story to future generations.

These powerful stories, shared with honesty and reverence, made the ceremony especially meaningful and reminded everyone in attendance of the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of those who served.