Youth Education

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“We Will Remember Them”

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For over 50 years the Royal Canadian Legion has been supporting the Remembrance Poster

and Literary Contest

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Its objective is to help encourage students to get involved in this contest as a means to promote remembrance of those who by land, by sea and in the air laid down their lives for sovereign and country. This includes those in the past conflicts as well as those currently serving.

Posters will be based upon the subject of

REMEMBRANCE

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Students are challenged to exercise their initiative and create a poster, poem, and/or essay on this theme.

Progression of Poster Entries

Branch

Zone

District

Provincial

Dominion (National Headquarters)

Overview of Poster Contest

The Poster Contest is divided into 2 Divisions:

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Black and White

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And

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Colour

Each Poster Category has �4 Categories

• Primary

Grades Kindergarten to 3

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• Junior

Grades 4-6

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• Intermediate

Grades 7-9

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• Senior

Grades 10-12

�Note: If a poster displays any colour on it then it is entered in the Colour Division

Poster Contest Regulations

1. This contest is open to all students (including homeschool students) from kindergarten through grade 12 in the Canadian school system.

2. Entries to be no larger than 22” x 28” (56cm x 71cm). Poster of any � shape may be received at Branches as long as it fits the 22” x 28” � dimension when framed.

3. Contest I Entries will be accepted in Black and White on black or white PAPER or BRISTOL BOARD only; using pencil, charcoal and/or India ink. Entries done on canvas, photopaper or craft material such as foam, textiles or wood are not acceptable. Submissions that appear to be computer generated, rendered by AI or machine will not be accepted.
4. Contest II Entries will only be accepted in Colour on PAPER or BRISTOL BOARD only. Photographs and three-dimensional submissions made of tinsel, cotton or wooden sticks for example, will not be accepted. Entries done on canvas, photopaper or craft material such as foam, textiles or wood are not acceptable. Submissions that appear to be computer generated, rendered by AI or machine will not be accepted.

5. If Canadian symbols are used, such as Canadian and provincial flags, � coat of arms, and representative flowers, birds or animals, as well � as all forms of Canadian historical and current military dress, shall � be pre-eminent.

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Poster Contest Regulations

6. Entries will be judged on originality, expression of designated subject � drawing and illustration.

7. Signatures on the back of the Poster/Literary Entries are no longer required however printed names are encouraged.
8. Students are required to attach an official Registration Form showing

their legal names, address, age, grade, name and address of their school

and local Legion Branch. The form is available from the local Legion branch or online at legion.ca/contests and attach it to their Entry (paper clip only, no staples or tape please). �9. All entries are to be submitted to the local Branch of the Royal � Canadian Legion.�10. Posters will be judged first at Branch: winners to Zone, to District� and to Provincial level. Only First Place winners should be� forwarded to each level. Provincial winners are submitted to� Ottawa for judging at National level. Entries should be forwarded� to the next level FLAT.

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Poster Contest Regulations

11. National 1st place posters will be displayed at the Canadian

War Museum in Ottawa for one year. 2nd and 3rd place

national winners will be displayed at Parliament Hill during

Remembrance week. All artwork will be returned to the

artists through Provincial Commands.�12. A student may enter both a Black and White and Colour

contests, but may submit only one Entry for each category. �13. The Youth Ed Chairs are encouraged to code all posters in� pencil on the back of the Entry the Branch #, District & � Zone, Poster Contest I or II, Category 1/2/3/4, example: � 452: F-5: P-II: C-1.

�To obtain the most current Entry Form (Registration Form), please go to Ontario Command’s website at on.legion.ca/remembrance/youth-programs.

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Overview of Literary Contest

The Literary Contest is divided into 2 Divisions:

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Poem

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And

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Essay

������Each Poem and Essay Division has 3 Categories

• Junior

Grades 4-6

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• Intermediate

Grades 7-9

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• Senior

Grades 10-12

Word Count and Line Count

Essay

• Junior

350

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• Intermediate

500

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• Senior

800

Poem

• Line count (excluding title) not to exceed 32 and is applicable to all Categories
• It is the Youth Ed Chair’s responsibility to ensure that Entries meet the guideline regarding the number of words or lines before submitting it to the next level.

Progression of Literary Entries

Branch

Zone

District

Provincial

Dominion (National Headquarters)

Literary Contest Rules

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1. This contest is open to all students (including homeschool students) from grade 4 through grade 12 in the Canadian school system.
2. Entries may be submitted in English or French.
3. Students will use only one side of an 8 ½” x 11” (22cm x 28cm) page.
4. Entries will be marked based on originality of thought, expression, presentation, grammar, spelling and Canadian content. The copying or reproducing of previously published works in whole or in part, without either the written permission from the author/source or, without identifying the author/source in the work, will result in the work being automatically disqualified.

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�Literary Contest Rules�

5. (a) Each student will clearly state on the Registration Form their legal name, address, age, grade, name and address of school, and local Legion Branch so that it remains with the Entry.

�(b) Youth Ed Chairs are encouraged to code the back of all�poems/essays in pencil the Branch #, District & Zone, �Essay or Poem, Category 2/3/4. Example: 452: F-5: E: C-2 �or 452: F-5: P: C-2. Please see the Registration Form. �

6. A student may enter both the Essay and Poem contests but may submit only one Entry for each category.�

7. All Entries are to be submitted to their local Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

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Special Points to Remember

• The Literary contest is open to all students (including homeschool students) from grade 4 through grade 12 in the Canadian school system.
• The Poster contest is open to all students (including homeschool students) from kindergarten through grade 12 in the Canadian school system.
• Students cannot enter the same category at two different Branches/Zones/Districts. Students who live in one Zone and attend a school in another Zone may enter at the Branch closest to their school.
• All Entries are to be submitted to their local Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
• Same Entry can only be entered once (not year after year)
• Watch for plagiarism such as the copying or reproducing of previously published works. Having a look at past winners on Command’s website is very useful.

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And, of course, no job is complete until the paperwork is done!

• Use only 1 Entry Form per Entry.
• All areas of the Entry Form must be completed.
• All signatures must be filled in.
• Attach Entry Form to entry-no tape, no staples, preferably paperclips.
• The Entry Form is available in English & French on Ontario Command’s website:

www.on.legion.ca� under Youth Programs

• Ensure current Entry Form is used—do not disqualify Entry if old form is used—try to correct the problem before sending on to Zone level. New Entry Forms apply each year.
• Keep a copy of completed Entry Form for your records.

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Permission to take a minor’s photo for publication is essential, especially if you are the one taking the picture. Other option is to have the school take the picture and have them put into publication.

This form can be copied onto back of Entry form to help save on paper.

The permission form must be used for Award Presentations

Forwarding Form

• Use this form when sending your 1^st place Entries onto next level.
• Ensure Entries coded in pencil on back of Entry.
• Send original Entry flat in a safe case to protect it from damage.
• You may wish to take a photo of your 1^st place Entries. This is part of your tracking tool.
• Keep a copy of this form for your records.

���Coding of Entries���

To help keep track of entries if they become separated from entry/permission form.

Purpose?

Coding of Entries

Information: Branch #638, District G/Zone 6, Colour Poster, Intermediate

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2^nd Place Colour Poster, Sofiya I. WCSS Kanata Branch #638 District G

First is the Branch number

Second is District & Zone

Third is the category P-I (B & W Poster) or P-II (Colour Poster)

Fourth is the Division: C-1 is Primary; C-2 is Junior; C-3 is Intermediate & C-4 is Senior

This would be coded as:

638; G6; P-II; C-3

Coding of Literary Entries

Information: Branch #34, District E/Zone 5 Poem, Intermediate�

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First is the Branch number

Second is District & Zone

Third is the category: E is for Essay and P is for Poem

Fourth is the Division: C-2 is Junior; C-3 is Intermediate &

C-4 is Senior

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This would be

coded as:

34; E5; P; C-3

Zachary E. Ramara, ON �District E-5 Orillia Br. # 34

Statistics Form

• This form is used to help calculate how many Students and Branches participate in this contest.
• Kindly list All students (not just the winners)
• Please fill this form out and send with your forwarding forms.
• Forward this form to your Zone Chairs with the winning Entries in each category by November 30^th.

Public Speaking

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Another contest the Legion supports is Public Speaking. Students are encouraged to write their own speech on any topic they choose. This provides an opportunity for students to convey their thoughts, ideas or information in a public forum.

Monies for this program are taken out of Branch funds such as Lottery or General Account.

Progression of Public Speaking

Branch

Provincial

Area

District

Zone

�Public Speaking Categories and Times

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• Primary

Grades 1 to 3—3-5 minutes

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• Junior

Grades 4-6—3-5 minutes

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• Intermediate

Grades 7-9—3-5 minutes

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• Senior

Grades 10-12—5-7 minutes

Contestant Registration

Visiting Dignitaries Form

Rules and Regulations for Public Speaking �(as per Command)

1. The speakers may select their own topics. All speeches are to be the original work of the speaker. Once a speech has been delivered in the competition it may not be reused in following years by anyone. The topics chosen by the individual speakers do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Royal Canadian Legion. The speaker will credit authors and sources of material, if referring to another person’s work. Speeches that repeat verbatim another person’s original work will not be accepted.
2. Visual aids, props, notes, cue cards, lecterns, etc. may be used to support the speech, notwithstanding the fact that judges may add or subtract marks according to the manner in which they are used.
3. Speakers are not allowed to use “PowerPoint” and “Projector” as a method of presentation or as a tool during presentation.
4. The assistance of persons other than the Chair (or an appointed person) is not permitted at any level of the contest.
5. A minimum of three competent judges are required, preferably with a teaching background or similar profession.
6. English and French speakers will compete within the same contest at all levels. Bilingual judges must be used when necessary. Speakers must compete in English or French and must continue to speak in their chosen language throughout all levels of the competition.
7. A speaker can only compete at one Branch. If the speaker did not win at the Branch, the speaker is not allowed to compete again at another Branch, even though it is under the same Zone or District.

8. The speakers must progress through all levels of the competition: Branch, Zone,

District, Area and Provincial, using the same speech. The speaker must compete at

branch level first, before moving on to Zone or District. There is no skipping of

levels.

9. A penalty of 5% of the total marks received from each judge, shall be imposed to

a speech that is either short or in excess of the time limit for that level, before the

total scores are compiled. This penalty will be imposed by the Timekeeper and

applied by the Scrutineer. No penalty will be levied for Grades 1-3.

10. A penalty of 5% of the total marks received from each judge, shall be imposed to

any contestant who freezes. A contestant who freezes may continue but all

speaking time used will count. This penalty will be imposed by the Timekeeper

and applied by the Scrutineer.

11. No person, including press photographers, shall photograph, videotape or use

any audio devices during the contest.

12. A microphone may only be used by a “Special Need” student. This student will

require a certificate from a medical practitioner. The Chair must be informed

of the need before the competition begins.

13. The provincial public speaking contest will be held on the first Saturday in May, of

any given year.

14. Speakers may not identify themselves, except by first name, during the contest.

15. Speakers who are late for registration without “just cause” will be disqualified

from the contest.

16. All wall clocks will be covered or removed during the contest.

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17. All cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off during the

competition. Such devices cannot be used for any reason during the contest.

18. Coaching of any kind from the audience will not be permitted.

19. If you need to leave the room, please do so between speeches or at the break.

Do not enter or leave the room during a speech.

20. Any violation of the above rules and regulations will result in a penalty being

imposed by the Chair and may include disqualification from this or any future

competition.

21. Judges will break their own ties. Judges will render a decision on all speakers

without consultation with other judges or any other person. The judges’ decision

is final.

22. Standing Ovations are not allowed at any level of the competition.

23. At each level of the competition the Branch is to read the following disclaimer

to the audience prior to the commencement of speeches: “Subject matter

of speeches may not be suitable for all audiences”.

Judges Info Sheet & Scrutineer Record Sheet

Public Speaking Provincial Awards

The winning student and one parent in each division from the four Legion Areas will be offered an all-expense paid trip to the site of the provincial finals.

Public Speaking Info for Youth Education Chair

Area Contests

The Province is divided into four areas, which rotate yearly:� Districts “A” & “B”� Districts “C”, “D” & “E” � Districts “F” & “G” � District “H” & “K”

District Location of Future Provincial Contests � 2026 – District “G” � 2027 – District “A” � 2028 – District “C” � 2029 – District “F” � 2030 – District “K” �

• PATTERN = E-B-D-G-H-A-C-F-K

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Prizes & Judging

Prizes�1. Branches, Zones, and Districts will provide suitable prizes, � including runner-up prizes. Monetary prizes at Branches should � not be more than the Zone and District prizes.

2. Command plaques will be provided for 1^st place winners and 2^nd � place winners at the Area contest.

3. Prizes or awards shall NOT be taken from Poppy funds at any level. �

Judging

1. There will be three to four judges at each level of competition. Judges may rotate with only three (3) judges judging the speaker in each category.
2. Judges should come from a diverse cross section of the community. Whenever there is a French speaker in any grade category, whether at Branch, Zone or District, all the judges judging that category should all be bilingual.
3. Judges may only participate at one level of competition each year.
4. Judges should be rotated at the end of each division.
5. Each judge will render a final decision on all speakers without consultation with other judges or any other person. The judges’ decisions are final, and they may not discuss marks with anyone upon the completion of the contest.

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Prizes and Judging Cont’d

6. After the judges have totaled their scores for each speaker in a � division, they will sign the score sheets. Judges must break their own � ties.

7. At the conclusion of each division, score sheets will be collected from � the judges and timekeepers.

8. The scrutineer will verify each judges’ tabulation and enter this on the � record sheet.

9. The scrutineer will make any adjustments to the tabulation in case of � time penalties.

10. The scrutineer will total the score of each judge’s results.

11. Home schooled students are allowed to enter the public speaking � competition and they compete at the Branch closest to their homes. If � the Branch is not participating in the public speaking program, � students are referred to another Branch, under the same Zone.

12. It is up to the Branch to advise the schools on how many students they � can accommodate at the competition or to limit the number of � students competing at the Branch level.

13. The winning student and one parent in each division from the four Legion Areas will be offered an all-expense paid trip to the site of the provincial finals.

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Timekeepers & Penalty

Timekeepers

The timekeepers will be provided with a stopwatch or equivalent timing device.�The timekeepers will begin timing when the speaker begins speaking. A signal will not be given to the speakers if they exceed the time limit. The timekeepers’ sheets will be collected at the conclusion of each division.

Penalty�5% of the total mark received from each judge will be imposed on a speaker whose speech is not within the stated time limits for each division. This penalty will be applied by the scrutineers. No penalty for time will be levied in the Grades 1-3.

A penalty of 5% will be imposed on any speaker who freezes. A speaker who freezes will be allowed to continue. A “freeze” is a stop or a pause of more than four seconds. It can also include a loss of direction in which the speech flow or meaning is interrupted, or a complete loss of speech occurs where the speaker may have to start over.

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Ensure the Entry form is filled out completely and signed accordingly.

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The Forwarding form needs to be sent to your Zone Chair prior to Zone Public Speaking. Your Zone Chair will give you instructions as to how they wish the form/information sent.

Keep a copy for yourself.

The Statistics form needs to be sent to your Zone Chair prior to Zone Public Speaking. Your Zone Chair will give you instructions as to how they wish the form/information sent.

Keep a copy for yourself.

And now for our newest program!

Remembrance Video Contest

This contest provides students with an opportunity to reflect their thoughts and ideas on the topic of Remembrance and use their technological knowledge to present a short video of 30 seconds – 2 minutes on this topic.

The Video Contest entry form, rules, and instructions are on Ontario Command’s website under Youth Programs – Branch Youth Education Kit – NYRC Booklet Guidelines��As Youth Education Chair it is your responsibility is to inform the schools/ students of this program.�

����������������Video Contest Categories�

• Intermediate Level: Grades 7, 8 & 9
• Senior Level: Grades 10, 11 & 12�

All video entries must be submitted online at: RemembranceContests.ca

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-To submit finished video, it must be uploaded to RemembranceContests.ca. Participants are required to provide the public, sharable link to their finished video during the online submission process.

-Individual submissions only. No group entries.

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Additional credits can be included when completing the submission form.

Judging is done by a special committee as designated by Provincial Representatives

You might be asking yourself—where do I start?

• Some Chair’s introduce themselves to their local schools before the end of June to help establish a relationship. This is a good time to let them know that Ontario Command’s website on.legion.ca/remembrance/youth-programs will be updated over the summer months regarding the Youth Education Contest Programs that the Legion supports. You will want to visit your school(s) in early September so that the faculty has time to put it in their schedule. You can get free information publications to give to your school(s) from www.veterans.gc.ca (usually available in September).
• Review your online Youth-Ed Kit forms and guidelines on Ontario Command’s website (usually updated in early to mid-July). All current registration forms, forwarding forms, and copies of rules and regulations, etc., can be found on Ontario Command’s website: (www.on.legion.ca/remembrance/youth-programs) or Dominion Command’s website: (www.legion.ca/contests).
• Get an information letter ready with deadline dates for the school to have their entries ready for pick up by you or your committee member(s) for judging and include your contact information. Keep in mind when you set your deadline date that Branches’ first place Entries are to be delivered to your Zone Chair by November 30^th for Zone judging. Consider booking a date with your Branch for your judging.
• Establish your prize amounts. Branch prize amounts not to exceed Zone amounts. These funds are funded out of Poppy Monies. There is no need to have a special use form filled out, but it should be in the Executive/Branch General Meeting minutes for future reference. Ask your Treasurer to help with obtaining the denominations you will need prior to presentation of prizes and certificates.
• Attend the Youth Education Seminar that your Zone Chair hosts annually.
• Get any supplies that you require (i.e., certificates from Command) ordered in enough time for you to have available to fill out for presentation at your schools.

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• For your poster and literary contest, you will need 3 judges. These can be Branch/Auxiliary Members, Veterans, Community representatives—an artistic or literary background would be beneficial. Go over the rules with your judges and the judging guidelines.
• After picking up the entries from the school(s) check to make sure that forms are with entries and are filled out and signed properly. While you are at the school, remind them of the Video Contest deadline as well as establish whether they are going to work with you on a Public Speaking Contest. The school needs time to get that information out to the students and get the program up and running. Another date to establish with the school at this time is presentation of the awards (i.e., an assembly or special event at your Branch).
• Make sure your first-place Entries moving onto Zone level are coded correctly.
• Fill out your statistic and forwarding forms and send them with your first-place Entries to your Zone Chair.
• If you have photo permission forms filled out, ask someone to take photos of your presentation at the school(s). Consider putting them in a local newspaper. This is great Public Relations!
• Set up Public Speaking date with your Branch if you have students participating. This event can be held sometime in January/February and must be before Zone Public Speaking. Your Zone Chair will provide you with this information early in the fall so that you can stay organized.
• Some Branches put an article/ad in their local newspaper with contact information in case there are students who are homeschooled wish to participate or if your school does not participate. Set a deadline for entry.

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• Get your judges for Public Speaking. You will need a minimum of 3 judges, preferably with a teaching background or similar profession. Go over the rules with your judges and the judging guidelines. Their forms are in your information package.
• Open your Public Speaking event with the Opening Ceremony as you would a meeting/convention. Try to include the Marching on the Colours.
• You will need 1-2 timekeepers, 1-2 scrutineers, and the forms they use are included in your information package.
• Have someone take pictures during the awards portion of your event to submit to your local newspaper or invite them to join you that day. (Ensure photo release form is signed).
• Ensure all entry forms are complete and signed. Forward your first-place Entries to your Zone Chair prior to the Zone Public Speaking date. Include your statistics and forwarding forms as well.
• At your Public Speaking event, provide your first-place recipients with a letter with details about date, registration time, and location of Zone Public Speaking. This will act as a reminder for them. Also include your contact information and inform your first-place recipients that should they not be able to attend Zone Competition to contact you as soon as possible so that you can offer the chance to your second-place winner.
• Repeat these steps through to the District, Area and finally the Provincial level of the Public Speaking Competition. Provincial Coordinator will provide you with letters & an expense form to hand your four Area Winners to be returned to Command for fast processing. Encourage Area Winners to submit right away.

Need further help or guidance?

Don’t despair—help is there!!

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• Ask a fellow Branch member to help—maybe the person who held the position before you can provide some guidance.
• Read your Officer’s Manual for Youth Education
• Follow the Chain of Command--Contact your next level for advice. (i.e., Branch contact Zone Youth Education Chair)

Remember: We were all in those new-person-to-the-volunteer-job-shoes once upon a time. Your first year is a learning opportunity. Your subsequent years are fine tuning how to make your contests run as smoothly as you can. Consider mistakes made one year a chance to grow and learn from it to improve for next year. Above all, relax and have fun with this wonderful opportunity to inspire the youth of today!

“We have supplied our youth with a past that they can share and learn about in the present to help preserve our future and not be a fading memory.” (B.W.)

“We Will Remember Them”