Ceremony honours Canadians lost to war

Erik Dickson
The Brock Press
November 17, 2009

media credit: erika hughes

A patriotic crowd gathered in the Ian Beddis Gym on Nov. 11 as part of Brock’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

Those in attendance joined to honour those who have served for Canada and pay their respects to those who have been lost while doing so.

The ceremony began with Aboriginal drumming, followed by The Last Post and a moment of silence. After the singing of O Canada and readings from Jewish, Christian and Islamic scriptures, Amazing Grace was performed by bagpiper Peter Schroder.

“We are here to remember and honour those who have lost their lives during military service to our country,” said Brock President Jack Lightstone. “So to honour them, we will not glorify war. Indeed those who went to war on behalf of Canada believed that their efforts served the cause of peace and freedom.”

“Therefore, the best honour we can do for them is to strive for peace and freedom ourselves and to be certain that war is the very last resort for preserving our freedom,” he said.

Lightstone offered his thoughts on Remembrance Day, stating that it is not only important to pay tribute to those killed in war, but also to remember the families many of them have left behind.

Further, Lightstone mentioned that Brock recently became part of Project Hero, along with other schools across the country, which provides scholarships to the children of those killed in current conflicts.

“We wish their families solace and consolation as we honour and remember their loved ones who have sacrificed their lives so that many others may live a better life,” said Lightstone. “And above all, we pray for peace.”

BUSU President Lianne Bradley gave her thoughts on the day in a speech, stating that November 11 offers several reminders of what we must be thankful for in life, and that nothing should be taken for granted.

“We think of our grandparents and great grandparents and their sacrifices, and we remember,” she said. “We think of students no older than ourselves, who gave up the opportunity to have a life so we could have ours.”

A reading of Flander’s Fields was followed by the laying of wreaths by members of the Brock community and local veterans.

After the ceremony concluded, members of Brock’s Aboriginal community held a peace walk on campus as a way of paying respect to those lost to conflicts around the world.

Originally Printed: The Brock Press

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