VIDEO: Area students pay musical tribute to Canadian soldiers

Students from Our Lady of Lourdes Virtual Academy and others from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Espanola came together virtually to pay special tribute to Canadian soldiers for Remembrance Day.

A news release issued Tuesday by the the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board states that the students collaborated with members of the Canadian Military Wives Choir in Kingston to create their own version of The Trews' Highway of Heroes. The song was used with permission from the band.

“This was quite a project to coordinate and I thank everyone who was involved for their dedication and patience in seeing this come to fruition. As usual, the students put their heart and souls into this project and they should be very proud of the finished product. I know I am,” said teacher Jodi Bourcier in the release.

“As a military wife, each tasking, exercise, and deployment can be difficult. We never really know if our soldier is going to be okay when they are far away from home. Their job does not come without risk, and we understand that our soldiers need our support and love in order to perform at their best. We hope and pray when they leave that they will return home to us and their families unscathed. We also take comfort in gathering together, in groups such as the Canadian Military Wives Choirs,” said Michelle Smith, president of the Kingston Chapter of the Canadian Military Wives Choir.

"I was a part of the virtual choir and rock band because I like playing my instruments and find it fun to do. The song Highway of Heroes is important because it helps us remember all of the soldiers who have died while serving our country," said Grade 8 Virtual Academy student Logan Yusko.

Bourcier hopes this is the first of many virtual choir and band projects this year.