Algonquin Pauses On November 11th to Remember

Posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

At cenotaphs, schools and public institutions, Canadians will pause to remember on November 11th. They will remember the more than 113,000 Canadian soldiers who were killed during the two World Wars, the close to 1,000 more who died in the Korean War, the 158 service men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan, and the dozens of troops who have been killed while serving on various peacekeeping missions around the world.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke there is a special relationship with the Canadian military. The close proximity of Garrison Petawawa to the campus, results in hundreds of students who have direct military connections, studying at the campus each year. Some of these students are currently serving in the military as regular force or reservists, others are spouses of soldiers, and some are sons and daughters of service men and women.

Each year, the campus holds a Remembrance Day service in its Commons area. It’s an opportunity for students and staff to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is always a meaningful and emotional service as the college community rallies around those who have been impacted by military life, particularly those who have lost loved ones in conflicts around the world.

On November 11th, Algonquin College joins Canadians from coast to coast in a visible show of support for the men and women who wear a military uniform. Our country’s history with war can never be forgotten.

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the armistice was signed ending the First World War. Regrettably, war erupted again in 1939 and it took six years and millions of lives lost to end World War Two. In the 1950’s, the Korean War cost more Canadian lives and in recent years our troops, including many from Garrison Petawawa, were on the front line in Afghanistan.

On November 11th, Algonquin College remembers. Lest we forget.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

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