Nov 11, 2008 - 04:30 AM

By Parvaneh Pessian

OSHAWA -- Students at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School saw war through the eyes of a soldier during a special presentation at the school in honour of Remembrance Day on Monday.

Corporal Matthew Jackson of the Ontario Regiment gave students from Grade 9-12 the opportunity to look at Canada’s mission in Afghanistan from his perspective. The 31-year-old corporal served as gunner and driver with the National Support Element during his deployment from February to August of 2007.

Delving into the day-to-day routine of soldiers serving overseas from their 5:30 a.m. rise for physical training, several convoys and bedtime at 10 p.m., he tried to paint a realistic picture of life in the service. Some of his daily duties included maintaining the vehicles, providing water and food and delivering equipment, supplies and mail.

“I wanted to show them a little bit more from a soldier’s point of view; from somebody who’s actually had experience overseas and been in a combat zone for six months out of their life,” Cpl. Jackson said. “We’re not always in the thick of the battle but we are there to support the people, the army and the people to try and rebuild and to take back their country.” 

Responding to a question about the importance of Canada’s role in the mission, he spoke of the dedicated services the soldiers provide like access to valuable supplies for those in need and protection of workers repaving roads.

The students listened attentively during a brief convoy re-enactment where Cpl. Jackson spouted off instructions and commands about everything from weapon readiness procedures and uniform standards to combat regulations and the rules of engagement. He also discussed the various forms of wildlife scattered throughout the country including donkeys, saw scale vipers and camel spiders.

A chance to see a different side to the war than what is normally depicted was beneficial, Grade 10 student Tiffany Harrington said.

“For someone to come in and tell us the light-hearted part of it -- the animals that were there, where they lived and the things they took part it -- it makes it that much more real,” she said. “It builds that picture that you don’t see because you just think they’re fighting a war and you don’t realize that they’re actually real people.”

This was the fourth time the school hosted the forum, which in the past typically featured speeches from war veterans. 

“With the war in Afghanistan being so controversial, we thought that if we could get a young soldier to come in, the students would be able to make a connection and at the same time they would learn about Afghanistan and become more informed about a current event,” said teacher Teri Normoyle who helped organized the event.

The presentations help drive home the true purpose of Remembrance Day while highlighting the efforts of those currently striving for peace, added teacher-librarian Joe Szekeres.

“It shows the students that while it’s important to remember our veterans, there are young people fighting for our country overseas right now and they should be recognized as well,” he said. 

Despite finishing his tour of Afghanistan, Cpl. Jackson -- who now works as a Brinks driver and armed guard while continuing with training and leadership courses with the Ontario Regiment -- said he still feels very much a part of the mission and all historical peace efforts.

“I think all Canadian soldiers have a place in Remembrance Day because we are doing our duty to protect and support our country at any point in time.”