A Day to Remember

On this Remembrance Day, Brentwood’s students and staff filed silently into the Killy theatre, sitting as Vivian F’s piano filled the space with a beautiful nocturne by Chopin until the whole school was in place. Then the Women’s Choir, with the moving “Prayer for the Children”, set the mood for what would be a solemn event.  Remembrance Day is one well marked by the Brentwood community, which gathers each year for this occasion. The assembly is always a thought-provoking affair; reflections by teachers and students interspersed with a wide spectrum of talented musical performances.  This year’s assembly was as remarkable as those coming before it, made so in part by a deeply personal delivery by Mr. John Luna, speaking both in his and his father’s words. Mr. Luna told of his memories of living with his father, a veteran of the Korean War, and recounted the words that his father had immortalized in letters along with a collection of pictures that he had taken. Julia B & Liam M then read letters between a soldier and his wife at home which showcased two different worlds with their own unique hardships.  Between the lovers’ correspondence and Mr Luna’s stories, the violent reality of a world at war was made obvious by Mr. Steve Cowie presenting the horrors of the world’s first “Modern Industrial War”. This assembly was in no way a “glorification of war” as Michael G stated in his Call to Peace. This message was driven home as Toria E, Alejandro G, and Santi G read the Brentwood Roll of Honour, a long list of Brentonians who had given the ultimate sacrifice to better the world. The students exited to “Chanson de Matin” played by Maria R on the cello, then paused by the Roll of Honour to remove poppies from lapels and place them on the fabric surrounding the Roll, a silent and unifying tradition. There was a heaviness in the air as people returned to their classes, a recognition and appreciation for the peace that we live in today, and for those who gave their lives in the name of this country.  Keiran MH, Rogers ‘17