Remembrance Day Ceremony

The University of British Columbia Remembrance Day ceremony is held annually on November 11 in the War Memorial Gym and is attended by faculty, staff, students and members of the off-campus community. Over 1,000 people attend this annual ceremony.

This year, the Remembrance Day ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 11 at 10:50 a.m. It will be an opportunity to honour and remember all those who served in times of war, military conflict and peace.

This year, 2009, we commemorate two special and historic milestones, the 65th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy and the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Red Cross. In recognition of the completion of the restoration work on the Memorial Wall, this year’s guest speaker, Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Donald G. MacLeod, CD, BA’ 53 will focus his address on the Korean War.

For more information on the 65th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy please go to the Veterans Affairs website.

For further information on the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Red Cross please go to the Veterans Affairs website and the Canadian Red Cross website.

2009 Program

War Memorial

The 2009 ceremony will include music provided by students from the UBC School of Music, short readings and remarks.

Members of the platform party include: Ms. Joyce Murray, MP, Vancouver Quadra; Reverend Roberta Fraser; Dr. David Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic; Mr. Johannes Rebane, Vice President, Academic and University Affairs, Alma Mater Society- UBC Vancouver and Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Donald G. MacLeod, CD, BA ’53 (who will give the address).

During the ceremony, wreaths will be laid by or on behalf of the following organizations, all with connections to UBC:

• The Parliament of Canada
• The Constituency Office of The Hon. Gordon Campbell, MLA, Vancouver- Point Grey, Premier of British Columbia
• University Naval Training Division
• UBC Contingent Canadian Officers’ Training Corps
• Reserve University Squadron, R.C.A.F.
• 12 (Vancouver) Field Ambulance
• 196th Western University Battalion Association
• The War Amputations of Canada
• Royal Canadian Legion -- Branch #142
• National Aboriginal Veterans Association
• Sir Arthur Pearson Association of War Blinded
• Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver
• The University of British Columbia
• Canadian Union of Public Employees – UBC Locals
• The Association of Administrative and Professional Staff at UBC
• UBC Alumni Association
• UBC Alma Mater Society of UBC Vancouver
• UBC Athletics
• Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity
• Panhellenic of UBC
• RCMP -- University Detachment
• St. John Ambulance -- Division 998 UBC
• Girl Guides of Canada -- Mackenzie Heights District
• Scouts Canada - Pacific Spirit Area
• Scouts Canada - 24th UBC
• University Neighbourhoods Association

All Welcome

Everyone is welcome to attend this annual ceremony -- doors open at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony will commence at 10:50 a.m. and will last for approximately 45 minutes. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony and all are welcome to stay.

Parking

Free parking is available up to 1:00 pm on November 11 in the GSAB lot beside the War Memorial Gym [Map] and at the meters on Wesbrook Drive (from University Boulevard north to the Bus Loop).

Parking is also available in the North Parkade [Map] at a cost of $5.00 for the day (coins or credit cards).

History

Since the opening of the War Memorial Gym in 1951, the University has held a ceremony commemorating November 11. For historical information on the opening of the Gym and some archival photos of earlier Remembrance Day ceremonies, visit the UBC Special Collections' website at www.library.ubc.ca/archives/warmemgym.

More Links

• Veterans Affairs, Canada
• Canadian Red Cross

More Information

For more information Office UBC's Remembrance Day Ceremony, please contact the UBC Ceremonies Office: Telephone: 604-822-2484 or E-mail: ceremonies.office@ubc.ca.