By Matthew Daldalian, LJI Reporter
In a poignant ceremony on April 8, the torch of remembrance was officially passed to a new generation. Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight stood before a crowded room to present the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to 13 extraordinary Canadians. Among the recipients were four students whose vision for a travelling memorial is poised to bridge the gap between Canada’s military past and its classroom future for the next century.
A Saint-Eustache student was among a group of young Canadians recognized by the federal government along with his peers Caterina Arena-Saia, Pierce Schaefer, and Nelith Sigirige. The quartet was recognized for the creation of The Corporal François (Franck) Dupéré Legacy Memorial, a student-led initiative that has evolved from a classroom leadership project into a national symbol of enduring gratitude.
A century of stories
Launched in 2023 through the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s ASCEND Student Leadership program, the memorial is not a static monument of stone or bronze. Instead, it is a living, breathing project designed to travel from school to school across Canada for the next 100 years.
The concept is as ambitious as it is intimate. At each stop on its cross-country journey, host students engage in deep-dive research into local military history. They are tasked with identifying a fallen soldier from their own community, documenting their story, and presenting their findings to their peers. This hands-on approach transforms remembrance from a passive annual observation into an active pursuit of historical truth and empathy.
“These remarkable volunteers embody the compassion, dedication, and gratitude Canadians feel toward our Veterans,” Minister McKnight stated during the presentation. “They remind us that service is defined not by age, but by the choice to show up for others. Through their commitment, they ensure that the stories and sacrifices of our Veterans are never forgotten.”
Built by hand, rooted in heart
For Saint-Eustache’s Sean Esdon, the project was an effort that extended far beyond the history books. To bring the physical memorial to life him and his teammates took to the school woodshop, learning woodworking skills to construct the vessel that will carry these stories through the decades.
Esdon, who serves as outreach chair for the project, helped make the initiative into what organizers describe as a “century-long journey” of education and national connection.
He worked with his team to design and physically build the memorial in their school’s woodshop.
The students worked in close consultation with the family of Corporal François Dupéré and members of his regiment, the 4th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment. This collaboration ensured that the memorial remained grounded in respect and accuracy. By involving the families of the fallen, the students have created a bridge between the military community and the youth who will one day lead the country.
The memorial functions as a relay. Every November 11, the current host school presents the story of their chosen soldier during the Operation Remembrance ceremony, held both online and in person in Ottawa. Once the tribute is complete, the memorial is handed off to the next school, creating an unbroken chain of youth leadership and communal memory.
Bridging the generational gap
While the youth recipients represented the future of Canadian remembrance, the ceremony also honoured those who have spent lifetimes in service. The 13 recipients included veterans like Gilles Landry, who has spent over 30 years volunteering for veteran organizations, and Pierre Pellerin, recognized for nearly four decades of service through The Royal Canadian Legion.
The inclusion of the students alongside these veteran volunteers sent a clear message: the responsibility of memory belongs to everyone. The ASCEND students sought to reinforce values such as courage, sacrifice, and compassion, viewing their project as a way to stand up against the fading of history.
To ensure the project’s longevity, the team secured funding through Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program and built strategic partnerships with the Royal Canadian Legion. These connections provide the structural support needed for a project intended to outlive its creators.
A growing legacy
As the Corporal François Dupéré Legacy Memorial begins its long trek across the provinces, it serves as a reminder that the most powerful tributes are often those, we build ourselves. For the students of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, the goal was to make sure that the names of the fallen are not just etched on cenotaphs but spoken in hallways and classrooms.
Since its inception in 2001, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation has been awarded to over 1,400 Canadians. The award—featuring a gold maple leaf on a red poppy topped with the Royal Crown—is a symbol of “above and beyond” service. This year, by recognizing the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board students, the government has acknowledged that “above and beyond” can start as early as high school.
For local communities looking to follow in these footsteps, the message from Ottawa was simple: remembrance is a choice we make every day. Whether in a Legion Hall or a high school woodshop, the act of telling a story is what keeps the flame alive.
