Vimy Day honour for Parry Sound teacher Rick Lund

QUEEN’S PARK — A Parry Sound teacher with a passion for history was honoured in the Ontario Legislature Monday during Vimy Ridge Day celebrations.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller made the following statement in the Legislature today:

As we celebrate Vimy Ridge Day, I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Rick Lund of Parry Sound.

Mr. Lund has been a teacher at Parry Sound high school for more than 20 years. It is particularly fitting to speak of Mr. Lund’s achievement today, on Vimy Ridge Day.

Mr. Lund’s passion for preserving the memory of Canadians who fought for our country resulted in his receiving the Order of Parry Sound this past year.

Among his many roles as an educator, Mr. Lund accompanied 40 Parry Sound high school students to France last year to take part in the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge.

He described the importance of that trip for him and the ceremony’s effect on his students. He witnessed the students’ emotional response and the moment when they realized that everything they have is because of the sacrifice of others.

Rick has also headed up a unique memorial project, the Community Remembrance Project in Parry Sound , which I spoke about in the House last November 1. Inspired by their trip to Vimy Ridge, Mr. Lund and the students launched a community-driven initiative to create banners with photos of local veterans to hang from lampposts around Parry Sound.

It is important we all remember the 100,000 Canadians who fought at Vimy Ridge 101 years ago today, the 3,598 who died at the battle of Vimy Ridge, and the 7,004 who were wounded.

I want to personally thank Mr. Lund for all that he has done to ensure today’s students remember the sacrifices of the past.

To watch the video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INvX10hjZ_E