The president and CEO of Humber Polytechnic, Ann Marie Vaughan, told about 200 people how her great-grandmother was known to be one of the most bereaved mothers in Newfoundland in the Great War.
Vaughan spoke with pride about her family’s legacy of service in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Four of her great-uncles enlisted in the army. Oscar and Francis were two of the first 500 Newfoundlanders to join the regiment at the start of the First World War. They both served in Gallipoli, and Francis also served in Western Europe. They were part of the iconic Blue Puttees, an intrinsic part of Newfoundland’s history.
The Blue Puttees was a nickname given to this group because of their blue uniforms, which they had to wear as there was a shortage of green fabric at the time.
Oscar and Francis returned from the war but later died from their injuries. Oscar died in 1917, and Francis died in 1918.
Vaughan said her great-uncles Joseph and Herbert enlisted in 1915 and served at various locations in Europe. On Apr. 14, 1917, Joseph was only 17 years old when he was one of more than 800 Newfoundland soldiers slaughtered, their bodies never returned to their families.
Herbert was taken as a prisoner of war on the same day. He was later released but perished in 1939 due to injuries sustained during the war.
Vaughan said she has two uncles who served in the Korean War and other family members who tried to enlist but were declined for medical reasons.
She said she often thinks about her great-grandparents and the sacrifices her family has made in the service of the country.
“Each poppy that we wear symbolizes a story: a story of bravery; of loss; of commitment to something greater than oneself,” she said. “Through these stories we remember, and we give thanks for the freedoms we’re privileged to enjoy.”
.png;w=960)
Vaughan said Humber Polytechnic, as a member of the Alliance of Ontario Military-Connected Campuses, will help military personnel, veterans and their families transition back to civilian careers by recognizing and respecting skills gained through military service and removing barriers to success.
“In doing so, we honour their service, not only with words but through actions,” she said.
The land acknowledgement was read by University of Guelph-Humber (UGH) student Rachel Lyn Balintec.
UGH student, and IGNITE student advocate, Emily Edwards, read the war poem, In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.
The Last Post and The Rouse were played by Humber music student and trumpet player Derek Healey.
These songs are traditionally played at war remembrances. During wars, The Last Post was played by bugle and signified the end of the day. The Rouse was typically played to awaken soldiers and now represents a symbolic awakening.
Healey, who has been playing the trumpet for 11 years, said he has a personal connection to Remembrance Day.
“Actually, my great-grandfather on my mother's side fought in World War II. As (did) my great-grandfather on my father's side,” he said. “I suppose it's something that drives me to play at my best and sound my best for everyone who is watching and listening.”
The national anthem was sung by Humber music student Minhee Seo.
Seo said that although she wasn’t born in Canada, she loves the anthem and has performed it many times over the years, including with a band at the Presidential Breakfast last year.
“Everyone loves Canada,” she said. “I can definitely feel the empathy and love (here).”
At the end of the ceremony, Vaughan thanked all for attending.
“May we always remember the sacrifices made for our freedom by the women and men in uniform,” she said. “And may we always strive to create a world worthy of their legacy.”
