Eva Redmond

Originally from Newfoundland, Redmond’s commitment to remembrance ignited when she took a trip with her sixth grade class. A trip to Beaumont-Hamel changed her perspective on remembrance. Her middle school choir sang at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial on July 1 during a ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Somme and the serious casualties incurred by the Newfoundland and Allied soldiers that day.

Earlier this fall she travelled to the Netherlands with her school’s cadet unit, teachers and staff to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt. They stayed with local families from the Netherlands for eight days while they attended commemorative events and learned about the sacrifices and triumphs of the Allied soldiers there.

In the Netherlands, Redmond and her fellow cadets marched in a parade and participated in a ceremony at the local cenotaph to mark fighting that occurred in the region seven and half decades ago. She said it “was really special” to play the trumpet during a ceremony at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

“They were so gracious towards us, but we need to remember the people who did it, because they deserve to be appreciated.”

While travelling in Europe, Redmond recorded her cadet unit’s visits and the ceremonies they participated in. She then compiled and edited the shots into a film she titled Operation Liberation She says that during their time in Europe the locals were extremely gracious towards them joining the commemoration of the 75^th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt.

“They were so gracious towards us, but we need to remember the people who did it, because they deserve to be appreciated.”

“Doing things like this makes me realize how important it is.”

Redmond says that she has always attended Remembrance Day ceremonies since her childhood, but after travelling to Canadian War cemeteries, monuments and memorials in Europe, and seeing the graves of the Canadians who have lost their lives, ceremonies of remembrance mean more to her. “Doing things like this makes me realize how important it is,” she says.

Redmond helped organize her school’s travel to the National Ceremony of Remembrance on November 11, through different fundraising initiatives. While in Ottawa, she presented her film at the National Arts Centre as part of the Operation Veteran activities. She and her classmates also toured the Canadian War Museum. Prior to the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial she and her schoolmates, as well as other students in Ottawa for Operation Veteran, attended an event at the Chateau Laurier where students from across the country shared their experiences of Remembrance.

Eva Redmond is this week’s Face of Freedom, an example of a new generation of Canadians who continue to commemorate and honour the sacrifices of Canadian Veterans, both past and present. The actions of those Veterans have allowed us to lead the life we do today – strong and free.

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