Keylan Neilson placed second in a provincial competition for his ability to wax poetic. The Grade 5 student at Bowden Grandview School said he was inspired to write “For Every Solider” for Remembrance Day last year to honour “all the people who died so we didn't have to suffer.”
His poem caught the attention of the Royal Canadian Legion when it was placed in an area competition for junior writers in Grades 4 through 6.
The legion looks for submissions yearly from Canadian students who can express their feelings about remembrance through essays, poems and posters in the Literary and Poster Competition. Through artwork or the written word, the theme of remembrance is told and the story of sacrifice and pride is passed on.
Neilson placed first in the area competition and his poem was then entered into the district competition for Alberta and the Northwest Territories. There, he placed second.
“I sat there for a long, long time,” said Neilson of how he came up with the words. He said he read it at the Remembrance Day assembly at school last fall and was happy to find he had placed in both competitions.
For Every Soldier-Keylan Neilson
For every soldier that died at war,/ A person's life will be restored./ For every grave we weep and cry,/ For every poppy we remember why./We remember why they gave their lives/ To give us freedom they sacrificed./ Daughters, mothers, sons and fathers,/ Uncles, aunties, sisters and brothers./How do we thank those who died?/ The brave and young that risked their lives./ Wear a poppy and remember why/ So peace may come. We need to try.
