A small group gathered to pay tribute to Canadian veterans.
Queen’s Chaplain of Faith and Spirituality Erin Burns led the University’s Remembrance Day service at Grant Hall the morning of Nov. 13. Classes were cancelled across campus between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to allow community members time to observe Remembrance Day.
In her speech during the service, Burns reflected on her family’s experiences, remembering her curiosity about the stories her family members brought back from war. She said those family members hoped their children and grandchildren would live in peace.
Canada’s involvement in peacekeeping missions was an important emphasis for Burns, as she cited the Korean War, the Gulf War, and the war in Afghanistan. Peace was at the forefront of her Remembrance Day message.
“We’re gathered in silence together and we bring our own remembering and personal experiences and our own hope for peace,” Burns said. “In a world that’s so loud, to stand together in silence, is a radical act.”
To commemorate Remembrance Day, the Queen’s Chamber Choir performed “In Remembrance” by Eleanor Daley, and Rector Owen Crawford-Lem recited “In Flander’s Fields” by John McCrae.
Following the service, Principal Patrick Deane and Dean of Smith Engineering Kevin Deluzio led the congregation of attendees to the Fifth Field Company Lane to lay wreaths. Attendees were encouraged to add their poppies to the wreaths.
For student Emily Clark, ConEd ’26, Remembrance Day hits close to home. As the daughter of a Lieutenant Colonel deployed on two missions in Afghanistan and a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, she understands the importance of remembrance.
“When [Remembrance Day] comes around, it’s a day for me to look back at my family and be thankful for what they’ve done and that they survive,” Clark said in an interview with The Journal.
When her father was deployed, Remembrance Day took an emotional toll on Clark. Despite this, she found comfort in knowing her father’s service showed a commitment to mitigating conflicts while working towards peace.
“While I was sad, scared, and terrified, there’s something about Remembrance Day that when I was thinking about him, it brought me comfort,” Clark said. “Regardless of what happens to anyone, in any case, the contributions they will have had will live on and they will still be remembered in some way.”
Tags
Grant Hall, Peace, Remembrance Day, veterans
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