U of G’s Remembrance Day programming will allow anyone to participate in ceremonies this year, whether they’re on campus or far from Guelph
This Remembrance Day, the University of Guelph will be holding an in-person event in Branion Plaza that will include an online ceremony, allowing all on-campus and remote community members to attend.
Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to attend the in-person event, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. According to the university website, the ceremony will last a little over half an hour. It will include remarks from U of G President Dr. Charlotte Yates, a community procession to War Memorial Hall and gathering in Alumni Plaza, laying of wreaths, a Last Post and Reveille, and a moment of silence.
The online event will then begin at 11 a.m. and will be available to watch at www.uoguelph.ca/remembrance-day. This part of the ceremony will include a Last Post and Reveille, remarks from Yates, and a performance by the U of G choir.
While last year’s Remembrance Day event offered only an online ceremony due to the second wave of COVID-19, this year’s procession allows community members to join together in remembrance either virtually or physically.
In a statement to The Ontarion, Yates said she was grateful that current public health guidelines allowed for this opportunity to gather in reflection.
“We are grateful for the sacrifices veterans have made in defence of our freedoms,” Yates told The Ontarion. “Freedoms like those which give us the liberty to learn, think and debate are foundational to everything we do as a community of higher learning. To honour those who have defended our freedoms, we must work together to build more peaceful, more equitable and more compassionate communities.”
Community members who choose to participate in the in-person event on Nov. 11 must follow all U of G COVID-19 safety protocols to attend. They must wear a mask, complete the COVID-19 Daily Screening Form and follow its directions, and be vaccinated. Those who wish to attend but are not vaccinated must have an approved exemption.
The university encourages everyone, “wherever you are on November 11,” to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. and reflect on the sacrifices made during wars and conflict.
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