On the morning of November 11, students, staff and faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University came together in the concourse to commemorate members of the armed forces.
The event, hosted by the Wilfrid Laurier University History Students’ Association, featured numerous presenters, including Laurier’s vice-president of student affairs, David McMurray, who read the famous war poem, “In Flanders Fields.”
“I am so honoured to have participated over many years now in Laurier’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony with the reading of “In Flanders Fields,”” said McMurray.
Braeden Suggitt, president of the History Students’ Association, said the ceremony was a big success with the high turnout of attendees and various new speakers.
“This year we introduced a couple of new speakers to the program, Sarah Morelli, who worked as a tour guide in France at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland War Memorial, as well as Stephanie Plante who recited “In Flanders Fields” in French,” said Suggitt via email.
Suggitt also noted that in terms of donations, the associations raised a total of $328.05, which will be taken to the veteran organization Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 in Waterloo.
As a result of the construction in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, the annual Remembrance Day ceremony this year took place in front of Kitchener City Hall at Carl Zehr Square last Friday at 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony started at Victoria Park and the parade marched to Carl Zehr Square.
I am so honoured to have participated over many years now.
-David McMurray, Laurier vice-president of student affairs
In attendance were numerous local community members, as well as the Waterloo Regional Police Service chorus and band, who opened the ceremony with the Canadian national anthem.
According to the Waterloo Chronicle, the City of Waterloo applied for a LAV III’s monument through a Canada-wide program and spent up to $28,000.
Kitchener is also in the process of getting their own monument as well.
The LAV III (Light armoured vehicle) brought soldiers and weapons across Afghanistan during conflict.
Local groups who helped bring the monument to Waterloo included the 48 Engineer Squadron, the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, the 404 K-W Wing RCADA and the K-W Naval Association, as well as Branch 530.
“Laurier is an authentic community, one where students, staff and faculty genuinely care about each other,” said McMurray.
“Coming together on November 11 to regard, to pay respect and above all to never forget those who sacrificed their lives for us all, will never be enough, but nonetheless a meaningful and enriching experience to commit to forever.”
