Jayne Turvey has given students in the Orillia-area an opportunity to learn about the wars in which Canada has been involved as well as about the men and women, in particular those locally, who have served.
This week has marked the 10th and last year that Turvey, Community Services Coordinator at the Orillia Public Library (OPL), has featured the displays in the lead up to Remembrance Day.
"It began with Doors Open, which had a theme about the beginning of the First World War. I put a display together and researched some local people and it was such a hit. We had 1,200 people come, so I asked the CEO of the OPL if I could put it together for November and invite students," says Turvey.
For Turvey, it's critical that people of all ages learn about the role Canada has played in various conflicts, especially young people.
"If they have nothing to remember, then what's the point?"
Turvey likes to localize the stories, such as the hockey team from Orillia that served in World War I.
"None of them played hockey when they returned home. One of them was almost going to play for Conn Smythe of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, he was too shell-shocked."
Initially, Turvey noticed the students would stare at the displays but she wondered if they were really engaged, and that's when teachers encouraged her to make the event more interactive.
"I created a paybook based on what World War I and World War II soldiers would have used, and inside there are questions the students have to answer," she explained. "If they participate, the students enter a draw for prizes."
Turvey says just by the expression on their faces, she can tell the kids are engaged and learning.
When the Remembrance Day displays first rolled out at the library, only students in Grade 10 participated, and then the program expanded to include kids in Grades 6 through 8.
The displays are also available for the public to see.
The displays over the years have also focused on other battles in which Canadian troops have participated such as the Korean War, the conflict in Afghanistan as well as the country's commitment to peacekeeping missions.
The wind down on Saturday after 10 years will feature the Scarborough Theatre Guild performing songs, additional memorabilia from collectors and participation by the Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regimental Museum.
The work Turvey puts into the displays is also very personal.
"My father was captured in the Dieppe Raid on August 19, 1942 and he was a prisoner of war for three years. I helped him write a book called "Destined to Survive" and that is how I learned the story firsthand from someone who was there. I started researching every man who was in the Royal Regiment of Canada out of Toronto, and there are a lot of people from central Ontario that fought with that regiment for all those years."
Turvey has painstakingly searched for a photo and bio of every soldier that land at Blue Beach in the Dieppe Raid.
"One of the cool things that's happened through this is that I have been able to locate family members and I have been able to answer their questions about what their fathers or grandfathers went through. I have been able to match people up if their fathers were best friends and to take the descendants and introduce them to each other."
In 2019, Turvey received provincial recognition for her library exhibits when she received the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence.
It has been a journey with no regrets.
"I feel accomplished that I've sort of helped people understand and remember, which is what we all set out to do, so these men and women are never forgotten."
