In the heart of Northern Ontario, at Parry Sound High School, European commemorative tour experiences have taken a foothold in the hearts of teachers, students, and the greater community. Meet Rick Lund, one of our dedicated Program Leaders, whose passion for providing transformative experiences for students goes beyond the classroom. Rick not only guides students through important historic sites in Europe, but also spearheads initiatives to honour the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers. Hear from Rick himself on the unique journey of his school’s legacy taking students on European commemorative trips and the efforts he’s leading to embed the spirit of remembrance in the community of Parry Sound.
Parry Sound High School—Cultivating A Lasting Impact
Parry Sound High School began its commemorative trips to Europe in 2012, marking the initiation of a tradition that has left an indelible mark on both students and educators alike. Organized every 2 to 3 years, many of our staff members have worked together to organize trips to remember historic events such as the Battle of Vimy Ridge, D-Day, the Italian Campaign, and the Liberation of the Netherlands.
All the teachers involved agree that nothing they have done in their careers has had such a positive, long-lasting impact on their students as these trips. It’s not hard to reach this conclusion when virtually all your students tell you that their experiences were truly “life-changing”. Even years later, parents tell us the same thing—they couldn’t be more thankful for such an incredible opportunity for their kids.
These trips are more than just sightseeing; they are an odyssey through history, remembrance, and community-building. It’s not just about exploring historical landscapes—it’s about immersing our students in the stories of Canadian heroes and the sacrifices they made.
The profound impact of these trips may seem hard to believe for anyone who hasn’t taken students overseas before, but it is very real. Just travelling outside their own country amongst peers, without their parents, is very beneficial for adolescent students because it’s a chance for them to gain confidence, maturity, and independence. They also create the best memories of their high school years while experiencing the history and culture of some of the most influential cities in the world such as Amsterdam, Rome, London, and Paris. Participating in remembrance trips not only provides the educational benefits of deeper historical understanding, but it fosters respect for people from all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
The Initiative that Started it All
The first thing we did to make each trip more meaningful was pair up students with a Canadian soldier in one of the Canadian War Cemeteries that we planned to visit during our program. As students researched their solider using the service files available online through the National Archives of Canada, they learned a great deal, got to know their soldiers, and practiced new skills to create presentations about what they gleaned. Whenever possible, students were partnered with local soldiers and would contact families still in the area, bringing mementos on their behalf to the soldier’s grave in Europe. These experiences left a lasting impact that proved to be very moving for students, giving them a new perspective around remembrance and what it means to the families of these fallen soldiers.
Community Remembrance Projects
Next, we started a series of initiatives we collectively refer to as our Community Remembrance Projects. For our first project, we raised money to get two custom flags made that listed the names of all the local soldiers killed in the two world wars. The flags are taken to Europe on each trip, where students read the names aloud at one of the war cemeteries to pay their respects. We also had a cabinet built to showcase these flags on permanent display in our school.
For our next remembrance project, we partnered with the town and several other community groups to allow residents to purchase street banners to honour veterans who served Canada in the past. The town agreed to put these banners up in downtown Parry Sound for 6 weeks every October and November. The community embraced this project with a total of 250 commemorated veterans on 125 banners. The installation of these banners each autumn has become a much-loved tradition in our town and has enhanced the true context of remembrance—that each soldier’s sacrifice has impacted their community back home.
Donations, Personal Connections, and Impact
The Community Remembrance Projects have also helped our students by fueling donations to help more of them afford the trip. Our goal is to get our students to spread what they’re learning about remembrance and give back to our community in return for all the financial support they receive through fundraising and donations from service clubs. Last year, for example, we hosted a successful fundraiser dinner with a silent auction, raising $6,000. We’re very proud of our partnerships within the school, the town, and with the local museum to continue raising funds and making educational travel possible for more students.
Another way we’ve spread the power of these commemorative trips is by taking students to speak to service clubs and others in the community after each trip to describe the impact it had on them. Audiences have always found these sessions very moving while students gain experience with public speaking and demonstrate leadership skills. The practice of researching the events that took place, then witnessing some of the important places where they happened, and bringing back their own perspectives to their community helps students further cultivate a heart of remembrance and appreciation for those who fought and lost their lives.
These speaking engagements have created more excitement and support for our trips within the local community, leading to more dollars donated for our commemorative projects and to help send more students on these amazing trips.
Future Commemorative Initiatives
We continue to spearhead community remembrance projects. Looking ahead, we plan to continue building community partnerships, which helps increase positive perceptions in the media and among residents. Our hope is to see a continuation of enhanced student fundraising efforts as the profile of our trips grow with each new project. Our focus on remembrance and community connections takes our trips to a whole new level. Students who have participated in these trips and initiatives say that it was a very emotional experience that left a lasting impression on them. Most tell us that they never look at Remembrance Day the same way afterward.
The Homes of Heroes Project
With our newest project, Homes of Heroes, lawn signs will be placed around town in cooperation with homeowners in Parry Sound, creating a town tour that visually marks the homes of fallen WWII soldiers. This will encourage students and the community to honour them and inspire meaningful connections between the memorial sites in Europe and the impact of the soldiers’ absence in their hometown.
Commitment to Community
Overall, our Community Remembrance Projects have been incredibly beneficial for our students. They have gained valuable experience by being involved in all aspects of the planning, design, and implementation of these initiatives. The experience of Parry Sound High School shows that European remembrance trips can not only have a profoundly positive impact on students who take part, but with the right projects, can also be beneficial for both the school and the entire community. Through all of our past and future endeavours, our hope is that our student travellers and our town will gain a better understanding of the importance of remembering our veterans and join us in our commitment to doing so in the future.
Rick’s story and all of Parry Sound High School’s efforts prove that remembrance trips can be transformative for students, teachers, and entire communities. The dedication of educators like Rick and the involvement of students in remembrance initiatives have created a profound impact, fostered deeper connections, enhanced understanding of historic events, and have initiated greater commitment to remembering our veterans. Not to mention, the community-wide impact comes full circle as funds are raised to help more students experience these life-changing moments who otherwise would not be able to participate in commemorative trips.
In 2025 Rick and approximately 25-30 of his students will be joining Explorica by WorldStrides in Europe to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands. Interested in taking your own commemorative trip? You can take your students to honour Victory in Europe on one of our May 2025 tours. Choose from exclusive programs, including The Netherlands and Germany, The Netherlands and France, or The Netherlands, Belgium, and London. Dive into Canadian history through the lens of remembrance and take your students’ learning to the next level.