THE grounds of Compton Primary School will fall silent today as students pay tribute to Australia’s fallen diggers.
In the lead up to Monday’s Remembrance Day services, the school community will hold its own memorial event to show respect for the sacrifices of the personnel of the nation’s defence forces.
The school has a rich history of service men and women and has a list of former alumni who enlisted in the defence forces remembered on a plaque.
School vice-captain Misty said the day was held a high significance for the students.
“We are honouring the soldiers who fought in war and helping raise more awareness,” she said.
“I think it is important for us to let our veterans know that we care and for the whole school to get involved and remember their sacrifices.
“We have veterans come to our school sometimes and they tell us stories about the war.
“I think it is interesting but also it is hard to believed it all happened.”
The school will open its gates to many of the region’s veterans including World War II veteran Charlie Miller and Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow.
Mr Sandow said he welcomed the service by the students.
“It goes back to who will run the RSL in the future,” he said.
“If you do not educate them from a young age about what their grandfathers did, it is not going to work.
“The aim is make sure the memories of what these veterans did continues.”
The Compton students will also raise funds for Legacy throughout the day.
The children will host a luncheon with money raised going to the charity, as well as a fun run around the oval with 10c donated from each lap completed.
In addition to today’s Compton service, 11 schools.
will attend the official Remembrance Day service at Vansittart Park on Monday.
“We will have 20 to 40 kids placing wreaths on Monday,” Mr Sandow said.
“I remember World War II veteran Cyril Blackmore before he passed away saying it brought tears to his eyes seeing the kids out there remembering what they did.”
