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Remembering the unforgettable
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Local places to mark November 11
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| By Tom G. Kernaghan |
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Though it was called “the war to end all wars,” the First World War was just
the beginning of modern global conflict. But its magnitude, nature, and horror did give rise
to another important beginning—the tradition of Remembrance Day. On Thursday, November 11 at
11:00 a.m., it will be 86 years since the Great War came to an end. With two minutes of silence,
we continue to acknowledge those Canadians who have died serving our country. And, around the
Annex area, a number of ceremonies will take place to mark the occasion.
The University of Toronto (U of T) will hold a public ceremony at the Soldier’s Tower at Hart
House Circle. Here, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, the university community will gather to
remember the U of T faculty, staff, and students who died in both World Wars and the Korean War.
One graduate who gave his life was Colonel John McCrae, author of the poem “In Flanders Fields.”
Vivienne Poy, U of T chancellor, will head the procession, and Rev. Canon Hobbs of the Fort York
branch of the Canadian Legion will conduct the service. There will be a reception in Hart House
following the service.
The City of Toronto’s annual ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with a procession of roughly 300
veterans marching past the cenotaph in front of Old City Hall at Bay and Queen streets. Mayor
David Miller, city councillors, provincial and federal representatives, and public employees
will attend. All are welcome.
While the city will hold several Remembrance Day ceremonies, this particular one is usually the
largest, says Barbara Sullivan, the city’s acting chief of protocol. But Sullivan states the
importance of everyone taking part.
“All [ceremonies] are very significant in meaning for the people in each area and for different
reasons,” says Sullivan. “We are very proud to offer this opportunity to the city to recognize
the contribution veterans have made to our country.”
Thousands attend the service at Old City Hall, which goes back over 50 years and is unique in
that the two minutes of silence is followed by the missing man formation fly-by. Four
reconditioned Canadian Harvard aircraft, which were used in the Second World War, will perform
this manoeuvre at 11:05 a.m.
The IODE (formerly the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire) will host a free ceremony
at Fort York, starting at 11:00 a.m. The event, dating to the 1930s, features fife and drum
music and fort staff dressed in period attire (circa 1812). Often attended by school children,
this unique service takes place on the actual battlefield of the War of 1812. After the service,
refreshments will be available in the Garrison Common.
When you do attend one of these events, please remember you are outside, so dress warmly.
(News section - The Annex Gleaner - November 2004)
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