Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #05-125
May 11, 2005
Yukon Student Attends VE-Day Ceremonies In Holland
WHITEHORSE - A Yukon student recently took part in VE-Day celebrations in Holten, Netherlands. Seventeen year-old Conal Slobodin, who attends Vanier Catholic Secondary School, was chosen to represent the Yukon during the ceremonies that were in part organized by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Students from across Canada participated, each doing research on one soldier buried on Dutch soil who died during the Second World War. During the commemoration ceremonies, the students gave a public presentation on their chosen soldier’s life at that soldier's respective grave.
"During the course of my research, I learned a lot about Frederick Cheverie, a sapper with the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers who died while carrying a land mine 11 days after VE-Day," Slobodin said. "The most important thing I learned was that he was a real person, he was survived by a wife and he enjoyed things like hunting and hockey. He sacrificed his life for the sake of our freedom and that’s something we can never forget."
VE-Day commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of the Second World War. This year's ceremonies were attended by 6,000 people. Organizers hope that through exposing students in such a personal way to the reality of soldiers' lives, a new generation will take up the task of ensuring that the valour of the Canadians and the lessons of the war are not forgotten.
"I commend Conal for being selected for the Veterans Affairs Canada program," Education Minister John Edzerza said. "Conal paid great respect to our veterans by remembering them so well. I am certain he will share his passion and knowledge in this area with his peers upon his return."
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Clea Ainsworth |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Communications Coordinator, Education |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 393-7102 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca |