Kieran Watson presented with National Award for his Remembrance Day Poem by President of Branch #54 Brad Lewis

By Erika Rolling

Community

Grade 7 student wins national award for Remembrance Day poem

May 25, 2023 | 11:02 AM

The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Youth Remembrance Contest has a new national winner for poetry in Grande Prairie.

Kieran Watson, a Grade 7 student in the Grande Prairie Public School Division, won the national award in the Intermediate Poem category.

Watson’s poem first has to win at the District Level – having been judged by Grande Prairie’s Legion Branch #54 to move forward to the Command Level (Provincial), and on to Dominion Level (National) to win first overall in his category.

President of Branch #54 Brad Lewis presented the award to Watson and said in a news release, “having Kieran win this award means a great deal to the many veterans in our city.”

“Because of students like Kieran the remembrance of what was sacrificed by Canadians will live on.”

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“It was a tear-jerker when reading the poem for the first time,” Lewis said.

Watson said he was in shock when his mom told him he had won; “this was the first time I had ever won a contest that meant so much for me and my parents. It is an extra special feeling that I’ll carry with me forever.”

Kieran noted in the same news release that his inspiration came from two family members that are veterans – his great-grandfather and uncle, as well as to remember all soldiers that have died for Canadian freedom.

“I wanted to show them the respect they deserve,” he said.

“My great-grandpa was in WWII and fought in the raid on Dieppe and was captured after his tank got stuck. He was in a German camp for years until they marched back and were brought to safety. My uncle fought in Afghanistan and a few other places,” Watson reflected.

Superintendent of the GPPSD, Sandy McDonald said in the same release that the award is a phenomenal achievement.

“Kieran’s success serves as an inspiration, and we are grateful to the Legion for giving students a place to Remember, to express themselves, and to shine,” said McDonald.

Keiran Watson’s poem can be read below:

The Long Watch, by Kieran Watson

I have bled from Flanders to Panjwaii

Fought across the trench of time

I’ve defeated the evil of tyrant’s

That had no reason or rhyme

I’ve marched to the call of colours

I’ve marched to the sound of the guns

Over the beaches and into the caves

For the peace of our daughters and sons

I am no hero or statue or marker

Yet I am more than flesh or bone

I am every free breath a baby takes

And every free thought you’ve known

So if you value your rights and freedoms

If you hate evil’s chains

If you think the future is worth the cost

And that life is worth the pain

Let justice be your lantern

Liberty will be your guide

It does not take a sword or gun

To stand bravely by my side

I am a Canadian Soldier

And I will stand on guard for you

Until all things are set right again

And my long nights watch is through