Jonny Chard | Staff Writer
Featured image: Vari Hall’s flagpole served as the location for Remembrance Day activities at York. | Azeb Yusuf
Crowds of students, faculty and staff gathered at the Vari Hall flagpole last week to commemorate those who have served in the two world wars and other conflicts.
As York’s Chamber Choir Quartet sang “O Canada,” Philip Cote, artist and Traditional Wisdom Keeper, lit a Ceremonial Fire to represent the 7,000 Indigenous ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the world wars.
After “The Last Post” was played and two minutes of silence were held in remembrance, wreaths were placed on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces, military veterans, Aboriginal warriors, York students, staff, alumni and retirees.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McEwen, York alumnus and member of the 2nd Canadian Brigade, spoke about the importance of remembering the horrific mistakes of the world wars to ensure they are not repeated.
“We need to be an example for other countries on how to act, and how to treat each other,” he said.
Jeff O’Hagan, vice-president advancement and master of ceremonies, offered a sign of gratitude toward all members of the York community and alumni who have been, or are, involved in conflicts.
“I would like to acknowledge all members of the York University community who have served, or continue to serve, with the Canadian armed forces,” he said.
York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri emphasized that Canada’s military men and women provide an example for how York students can make an impact with the morals of social responsibility, respect, equity and inclusion.
“As we think today of the bravery and the sense of commitment that lives within each member of the Canadian armed forces, we call upon the same strength to help us lead the challenges of our world today,” he stated.
However, critics have argued that Remembrance Day no longer promotes an opportunity to mourn the dead and lament war, but glorifies war.
In a Huffington Post article written last year, Toronto journalist Hana Shafi expressed her decision to not wear a poppy because for her, it now embodies current unjustifiable wars.
“I’m not thankful that the government sends young adults […] to fight for oil and territory, under this thinly-veiled guise that it’s actually for ‘freedom.’ War is not glorious, sacrifice is not patriotic, it’s tragic,” Shafi stressed.
She emphasized the hypocrisy of the government sending soldiers to wars but not providing sufficient mental health resources for veterans.
“It has become representative of the current wars, of imperialism, of a settler-colonial state still fighting wars for its own greedy interests overseas,” she concluded.
At a ceremony in Ottawa, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, a veteran of the Canadian Forces, emphasized that those who serve do so to ensure safety and security, and it is vital to acknowledge that.
“To the brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces currently serving at home or abroad, we proudly salute your unwavering commitment to protecting Canadians, and to bringing peace and security to the world,” he said.
Armistice Day, known as Remembrance Day after World War II, is commemorated every year to mark the signing of the armistice and the end of World War I in 1918.
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