The University of Saskatchewan marked its 98th annual wreath-laying ceremony Wednesday, bringing together members of the Saskatoon community to remember those who served. The long-running ceremony is typically held in front of the university’s Memorial Gates on Remembrance Day, but was moved to Convocation Hall this year because of construction on College Drive. “While this is breaking tradition, in some ways, it’s fitting that we gather here in this space as part of our tradition of remembrance,” said Vince Bruni-Bossio, the university’s president and vice-chancellor. Bruni-Bossio noted Convocation Hall was once the site of university graduation ceremonies and continues to serve as a gathering place for the university community. He also pointed to the Roll of Honour on the other side of the wall, a series of ribbons lining the corridors of the Peter MacKinnon Building that bear the names of students, faculty and staff who enlisted during the First World War. “Created in 1916 while the war was still being fought, they represent one of the university’s earliest acts of remembrance and a lasting tribute to the members of the university community who answered the call to serve,” he said. “The Roll of Honor and Convocation Hall together remind us that every celebration in this room has been made possible by those who served and sacrificed for this country.” Bruni-Bossio said the Roll of Honour represents not only those who served in the First World War, but generations of university community members who have served in conflicts, peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts. He then shared the stories of two university members who served. The first was Margaret Brooke, who studied at the university before and after serving during the Second World War. Brooke was a Navy nurse who survived a torpedo attack in the North Atlantic while attempting to save the life of a fellow Canadian Navy nurse. She later became the first woman to have a Canadian Navy ship named in her honour. “Her story is a shining example to us of extraordinary courage. The fact that her courage arose from her compassion, care and commitment to others is also a lesson to us about why community is important,” he said. Bruni-Bossio also spoke about Captain Edmund Oliver, one of the university’s earliest professors, who helped establish what became known as the University of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. Thousands of soldiers attended classes and lectures there as they prepared to return home and continue their education, he said. “There was the courage to believe that in the midst of extreme conflict and uncertainty, learning, hope and community still mattered,” he said. Bruni-Bossio said remembering the sacrifices of others also means carrying forward the values of service, compassion and care that guided them. “The lives we honor today remind us that each of us has the capacity to make a difference in the lives of others,” he said. Following Bruni-Bossio’s remarks, University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union president Abtin Safaeian read the poem In Flanders Fields. Bruni-Bossio’s chief of staff, Alexander Foster, then read a passage titled Act of Remembrance, followed by music education student Ronan Inkster performing the Last Post. A moment of silence followed before attendees were invited to lay wreaths in honour of those who served. The ceremony concluded with the singing of O Canada.
