The ultimate sacrifice given by the men and women who once fought for Canada can never be overlooked.
That timeless message was clearly and concisely demonstrated by the Orillia Public Library’s annual Remembrance Day interactive exhibit.
“It’s just amazing and I really like how involved people get,” said event volunteer Amy Federovich, who was dressed as a Free French of the Interior resistance member.
“Often, they’re able to learn something they didn’t already know about the wars.”
Featuring a mix of interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters from World War I to present-day conflicts and historical artifacts, this year’s offering also featured displays from the Orillia Museum of Art and History, the British Home Child Advocacy and Research Association, Simcoe County Museum and The Royal Regiment of Canada Museum.
“This is great and I particularly like the World War I exhibit,” said Simcoe County Museum historical interpreter Jennifer Brunelle, who was dressed as a World War I nursing sister.
Concluding Saturday afternoon after a three-day run, the exhibit welcomed hundreds of area residents as well as more than 800 students from area schools throughout the week.
“I love it because I like learning about military history,” said 11-year-old Hudson Bown-Downie, of Washago.
Sharon Bown said the exhibit appeals to both adults and children her son’s age, who want to learn more.
“It’s really interesting,” she said. “The people are super friendly and knowledgeable.”
Earlier this year, the exhibit received the coveted Angus Mowat Award for Excellence at the province’s Public Library Service Awards. The award recognized the library’s and library community services coordinator Jayne Turvey’s dedication to ensuring all Orillians get a better idea of the soldiers from the area who fought and, sometimes died, in global conflicts.
“As far as I know, we’re the only library that does this sort of thing,” said Turvey, who has been organizing the event since 2014.
Turvey said the exhibit benefits from area organizations and community contributors like military memorabilia collectors Carl Black and Mark Cadeau.
“We want to remember our military history,” she said. “This doesn’t glorify it, but rather remembers those who fought for our freedom.”
For her part, Turvey has a a very personal connection to the country’s war efforts. Her father, Jack Poolton, served with the Royal Regiment of Canada (Toronto) during World War II.
“My father was a World War II prisoner-of-war. He was captured in the Dieppe raid in 1942 and spent three years as a prisoner-of-war. He weighed 82 pounds when he was liberated. That’s where my passion comes from.”
Turvey said students attending this year’s offering first enjoyed a presentation at the Orillia Opera House to provide perspective on the local contributions to the war efforts.
“We tell the kids the local stories,” said Turvey, who noted this year’s event also served to honour several anniversaries from the Second World War, including D-Day, the Liberation of Holland and the Italian Campaign.
“My main objective of this is how do you best teach a child to understand and appreciate a time he or she hasn’t experienced? They really get engaged.”
