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Garth Webb students pay tribute for D-Day by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Wednesday, June 4, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A Canadian soldier killed on Juno Beach on D-Day (June 6, 1944) will be remembered with a special tribute marker thanks to the efforts of students at Oakville's Garth Webb Secondary School. Earlier this year, the school participated in the Juno Beach Association's D-Day Tribute Campaign, which saw students raise more than $600 to sponsor the placing of a tribute marker on the grounds of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France. The marker remembers fallen Canadian soldier James Patrick Williams of Nova Scotia. The goal of the campaign is to commemorate Friday's 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy by having communities across Canada sponsor 359 tribute markers -- one for every Canadian killed on the first day of the invasion of occupied France during the Second World War. Approximately 14,000 Canadians took part in the Allied operation that would eventually lead to victory over Nazi Germany. The amassed tribute markers at Juno Beach are intended to create a moving display, emphasizing the gravity of Canada's sacrifice. "When we got notification that the Juno Beach Centre would be doing this tribute for the 70th anniversary, as a staff, we knew we had to be a part of it," said Sandra Rogers, teacher-librarian at Garth Webb Secondary School. "Garth Webb was a D-Day veteran, founder of the Juno Beach Centre and our school is named after him." School staff fielded the idea of raising funds for the tribute with students, who responded with a variety of fundraising initiatives, including a change drive and candy sales. Amy Westenberg's Grade 9 geography class and Nicole Jarvis' Grade 10 science class received special recognition for raising the most money. The students ultimately succeeded in getting the necessary funds together and were rewarded for their efforts with a 1940s-themed Victory Ball in May, complete with swing dancing lessons and speeches by three local veterans. Rogers said students had extensively researched Williams as part of their Grade 10 history class work and felt it was appropriate to ensure he had a tribute marker. According to the Juno Beach Association, no soldiers from Oakville were among those killed on Juno Beach. A student report on Williams stated he enlisted when he was 20 years old and was part of the Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment. Prior to the war, he had dropped out of high school and begun working as a welding apprentice. Williams landed at Bény-sur-Mer at Juno Beach on D-Day where he was killed. His body was found on the beach the following day. Rogers said now, more than ever, it is important for students to learn about Williams and the other 358 Canadians who gave their lives on D-Day. "We are 70 years beyond D-Day at this point. As the veterans themselves start to disappear, we risk losing a piece of Canadian history if students don't learn about not only what they did, but the people themselves," she said. "At our school, one of our guiding principles is to have a culture of active remembrance... We want the students to know about these people and every time a student researches a soldier it brings those people back to life a little bit. That's why we do it." The tribute markers will be installed in advance of the 70th anniversary on Friday and remain on public display until Nov. 11 (Remembrance Day). DRYWALL Don't BIN IT Don't DUMP IT DELIVER IT for recycling NEW WEST GYPSUM RECYCLING Located just off the QEW at 2182 WYECROFT ROAD, OAKVILLE Pos itivel ive y Affecti Open to the public ng Where We L 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Closed Weekends and Holidays LEED certification Rate: $57.50/Tonne www.nwgypsum.com Any amount acceptable 905-847-0520 Invest in your home during our annual.. 3 3 3 SAVE up to Investing today to impact tomorrow Your legacy starts today. Please join us! Join Us for our 19th Annual General Meeting & Speakers Event At our speakers event we will be announcing the first recipient of The Foundation's new Vital Grants Fund. Wednesday, June 25, 2014 6:00 - 7:15 pm Speakers event 7:30 - 8:00 pm AGM meeting Where: Holiday Inn, Oakville 590 Argus Rd, Oakville Register: 905.844.3562 xt 300 When: 30 Best Windows & Doors 2002-2013 Best Awnings 2013 Best Sunrooms 2006-2013 % Call for details ! e it s b e W W E N r u o it is V ive and rece Book Online com qsiwindows. n, has not r of this promotio HOME SHOWROOM S FREE!*** theocf.org is not a sponso orse it in any way. end *** Tim Horton's zes and does not provided the pri . 175 Nebo Rd 78 80 557 590 Hamilton Toll-Free 1-866-575-8078 Burlington 905-639-8078