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The College paused on Thurs (11 Nov) in memory of the fallen during a very special Remembrance Day ceremony at the Arch. Under perfect weather conditions, the large audience paid their respects, and wreaths were laid by Mr Reg Watts, President of the Kingston Branch of the RMC Club and by the Commandant/CCWO and Principal. Following the service, guests gathered at the SSM for refreshments. (click on photos below for better viewing)
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Remembrance Day at Queen’s University
By: 24712 Brent Fisher (RMC 2010)
My academic schedule placed me on Queen’s University campus Thursday morning, and I attended their Service of Remembrance in lieu of the RMCC Remembrance Day ceremony. Before entering Grant Hall (photo above), I had no idea what to expect from this ceremony, my first in four years that has not taken place at the Memorial Arch.
I quickly felt right at home, in part due to Grant Hall’s strikingly similar design to Currie Hall, but also due to the large group of students and professors who were in attendance to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our ideals. There were several major differences between this ceremony and those that I have attended in the past, but I was particularly pleased by the Queen’s Choral Ensemble’s performance of In Flanders Fields. The anthem sent shivers down my spine. I later watched the performance on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbiDUikeO5c), and the feeling was no different. Eleanor Daily most definitely did Lt Col John McCrae’s poem justice.
Remembrance Day means something different to each individual. When I enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 2006, I was the first member of my family to do so. Over the past four years my exposure to both active and retired members of our organization has taught me much more about the nature of our veterans’ sacrifices. In 2009 I was privileged to take part in the annual Battlefield Tour, and this experience has forever altered my perception of the need for Remembrance.
When I awoke Thursday morning, I thought of many people: I thought of 22596 Matt Dawe, and of 22458 Nicola Goddard. I thought of John Babcock, and if Canada’s ability to remember has been affected now that there are no living veterans of the First World War. I also thought of three WWII veterans, 2131 George Wattsford, H25917 Danny McLeod, and H17417 John Matheson, all of whom I have met and interacted with throughout this past year. Perhaps I thought of these last three veterans because they are still alive, and can still share their experiences with us first-hand.
As I am only studying at the Queens’ School of Management for one semester, I am quite certain that 2010 will be my only opportunity to attend a Service of Remembrance at Queen’s University. I am glad to have been exposed to this new venue for this year’s ceremony. Every time that I now walk past Grant Hall I will be reminded of the ceremony that took place inside this 11 November. Lest we forget.
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Sur la photo, vous pouvez voir le Capt Dumulon-Perreault, Mme Judith Sincennes directrice de l’école ainsi que la délégation du RMC venant de l’escadron 8.
Ce fut une cérémonie du Jour du Souvenir très spéciale pour la petite école élémentaire catholique Monseigneur Rémi-Gaulin de Kingston, Ontario. En effet, nous avons eu la chance de recevoir une délégation d’élèves-officiers provenant de l’escadron 8 ainsi que d’un joueur de cornemuse lors de notre célébration. Ce fut pour les élèves, les membres du personnel enseignants et non-enseignants ainsi qu’aux parents militaires et civils présents, une occasion spéciale de rencontrer des membres du Collège Militaire Royal du Canada. Les enfants furent fascinés de voir tous ces jeunes hommes et femmes en rang, droits et portant fièrement l’Écarlate avec le Coquelicot. Le son de la cornemuse a étonné petits et grands lors de la matinée.
L’école élémentaire catholique Monseigneur Rémi-Gaulin tient à remercier chaleureusement le Capitaine Alex Dumulon-Perreault et tous les élèves officiers qui ont assistés à notre cérémonie. Le Collège Militaire Royal du Canada s’implique toujours activement dans la communauté de Kingston et une fois de plus vous avez fait un grand honneur au RMC ainsi qu’au Forces Canadiennes. Par votre présence, vous avez permis à nos enfants de connaître le RMC, mais aussi de vivre pleinement un moment important de notre culture canadienne : le Jour du Souvenir.
Au plaisir de vous revoir à nouveau chez nous,
Emilie Lavoie
Vice-présente du conseil d’école de l’École élémentaire catholique Monseigneur Rémi-Gaulin
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Kingston Remembrance Day 2010 Video