Lest we forget all the university students and staff that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, and lest we forget the days when the U of M honoured their service with campus Remembrance Day ceremonies — which no longer occur.
Canadians observe Remembrance Day, a federal statutory holiday, every Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. which signifies the end of hostilities during the First World War. At that time, in 1918, an armistice — a formal agreement to stop fighting — took effect between the Germans and the Allies.
Remembrance Day now serves as an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifices of all those who defended our freedoms and protected our way of life, but do we truly remember at the U of M?
Remembrance Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was inaugurated and first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth.
In 1921, the Canadian Parliament passed the Armistice Day bill, recognizing the Monday in the week containing Nov. 11 as an annual legal holiday. This led to Armistice Day being combined with the Thanksgiving Day holiday, which led citizens to push for a separation between the dates. In 1931, the federal government ruled that on Nov. 11 citizens would observe the newly named Remembrance Day, and Thanksgiving Day would be moved to a different date.
Though numerous Remembrance Day services were held across Manitoba this Nov. 11, I could not help but notice that our campuses were void of services that day.
A search through past issues of the Manitoban reveals many write-ups of Remembrance Day ceremonies on campus on Nov. 11 throughout the years, with a particular emphasis on commemorating the university’s contribution during the war efforts. Articles recall ceremonies on campus which were led by university personnel, where “the student body turned out en masse,” “the theatre was filled to capacity,” wreaths were laid next to campus war memorials, parades were held and where speeches were plentiful.
An issue of the Manitoban from 2006 provided coverage of the university’s “annual Remembrance Day ceremony” which included readings, remarks from dignitaries and placement of a wreath. When the university’s “annual” Remembrance Day ceremony ceased to exist at some point after that is unclear.
For perspective, numerous universities across Canada continue to observe Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 with campus ceremonies. The University of British Columbia recently concluded its 74th Remembrance Day ceremony, whereas the University of Saskatchewan marked its 96th annual ceremony. To the east of our province, many continue the same practice – including Western University, McMaster University, Carleton University, McGill University, the University of Toronto (on all three campuses) and the list continues.
At the end of the Great War, now commonly known as the First World War, a total of 1,160 students and 14 faculty and staff from the U of M enlisted. Of those who enlisted, 123 were killed or died during the war, while 142 were given military honours. Several monuments were erected on both campuses at the U of M to honour their service, yet we do not honour the names on these monuments with wreath-laying or ceremonies of any sort on campus.
We should remember and honour the university students and employees who sacrificed their future, dreams and time with loved ones so that we can enjoy a world of peace and freedom. Regardless of how long ago they served — whether that be over a century ago or more recently — that is no justification for forgetting.
Remembrance Day is a time to acknowledge the bravery of those who served their country to create a better world. The ceremonies do not glorify war, nor do they seek to recruit attendees into combat.
It is up to us to ensure that we do not forget the sacrifices of those who served and honour their contribution to freedom — with some giving their lives for the cause.
Just because the U of M has ceased annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on campus (contrary to the popular phrase, “lest we forget”), that does not mean that we should forget.