One of Canada’s largest No Stone left Alone (NSLA)programs will be held in Western Manitoba.

The goal of NSLA is to honour the sacrifice and service of Canada’s military by educating students and placing poppies on the headstones of veterans every November.

Ryan Lawson coordinates the Brandon program which he says got its start in 2011 in Edmonton.

No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation is dedicated to honouring and remembering Canada’s veterans.  Our unique ceremony provides students and youth with an authentic experience that creates knowledge, understanding and appreciation of those who serve and of the sacrifice of Canada’s fallen.

“Our ceremony here in Brandon on Friday is going to be one of our biggest with close to 1,000 students participating. We have a small ceremony which will include Premier Heather Stefanson and our new mayor. We’re hosting some solider from CFB Shilo and we’re hoping for a fly by by the air force.”

Following the ceremony students take poppies and place them at the headstones of 1,700 grave sites.

“We encourage students to take time to reflect, read the stone, see the name and the dates. It’s a great event I’m glad we’ve brought to Brandon schools,” said Ryan Lawson.

This will be the eighth year for the No Stone Left A lone program in Brandon.