University of Toronto: U of T marks Remembrance Day across its three campuses

Community members gathered on the University of Toronto’s three campuses Friday to honour those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, hundreds of people attended a cermony at Soldiers’ Tower, which included a playing of the tower’s 51-bell carillon, while hundreds more watched via livestream on U of T’s YouTube channel.

Following an Indigenous land acknowledgment, words of welcome and a performance of the Naval Hymn, Capt. Roland Llewellyn-Thomas, a member of The Queen’s Own Rifles and the Soldiers’ Tower committee, recited In Flanders Fields, which was written by U of T alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae.

U of T President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Vice-Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy joined Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and other representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces, U of T alumni, students and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen in the archway of Soldiers’ Tower.

A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the fallen after the placing of the wreaths.

At U of T Scarborough, the the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place, attended by U of T vice-president and Principal of U of T Scarborough Wisdom Tettey, included a performance by the string orchestra, concert choir and concert band.

U of T Mississauga held a ceremony at the front of the William G. Davis Building that was attended by U of T vice-president and Principal of U of T Mississauga Alexandra Gillespie.