Remembrance Day

The 91�Թ� will mark Remembrance Day across its three campuses on Nov. 11 – including a ceremony on the St. George campus that will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Soldiers’ Tower.

The 44-metre tower, which houses a 51-bell carillon, was erected beside Hart House in 1924 to honour soldiers and members of the 91�Թ� community who fell in the First World War.

The monument was later expanded to include the names of 1,185 people who fell during either the First or Second World Wars, while the annual Service of Remembrance that takes place at its base honours those who served in both the Great Wars as well as other conflicts.

“The most important aspect of this day is drawing the community together,” says Peter MacLaurin, chair of the Soldier’s Tower committee and a retired lieutenant-colonel in the Canadian Army.

Beginning at 10:25 a.m., the St. George campus service will include carillon recitals before and after the ceremony – and will be followed by a free public reception in the Great Hall of Hart House. The Memorial Room in Soldiers’ Tower will be open until 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, at 91�Թ� Scarborough, the community will honour alumni, students, faculty and staff who fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts. The in-person ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. at The Meeting Place, Science Wing, and features the UTSC Concert Band, Concert Choir & String Orchestra.

At 91�Թ� Mississauga, an in-person ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. in front of the Davis Building, near the flagpole. The UTM Indigenous Centre is also hosting a poppy-beading workshop on Nov. 8.

Flags on all three campuses will be flown at half-mast on Nov. 11.

Soldiers’ Tower

The 44-metre tower, erected beside Hart House in 1924, houses a 51-bell carillon (photo by Laura Pedersen)

Between 1923 and 1924, the 91�Թ� Alumni Association raised $397,141 to build a war memorial and establish scholarships to honour community members who served in the Great War – the equivalent of more than $7 million in today’s currency.

The tower’s carillon is played by three different carillonists, who use their hands and feet to play a keyboard that sounds the bells during spring and fall convocations and other special ceremonies, including on Remembrance Day.

The ranks, names and units of those lost to the university in the First World War are etched in stone on the memorial screen. Other features of the monument include the memorial arch and the Garden of Remembrance.

In the Staircase of Honour, stained-glass windows depict men and women who contributed to the war effort.

Portraits of several illustrious graduates are on display in the tower. They include: Lt.-Col. John McCrae, who wrote In Flanders Fields; Maj. Thain MacDowell, who earned the Victoria Cross in the battle of Vimy Ridge, the only member of 91�Թ� to receive the honour in the Great War; Maj. Fred Tilston, awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts in Hochwald Forest (Germany), 1945; and the co-discoverers of insulin, Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best. Both men served in the Canadian Army in the First World War.

91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day 2023 across its three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:09:13 +0000

91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day 2023 across its three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/10/2023 - 12:09

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Members of the 91�Թ� community gathered at Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus for a Service of Remembrance ahead of Nov. 11 (photo by Polina Teif)

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Remembrance Day services were held across the 91�Թ�’s three campuses on Friday – one day ahead of Nov. 11 – to honour those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, members of the 91�Թ� community gathered at Soldiers’ Tower for a service that began with the playing of the tower’s 51-bell carillon. It was followed by an Indigenous land acknowledgement by Rev. Richard Ruggle and words of welcome by Daniel Hendrickson, chair of the Soldiers’ Tower committee.

The event included a performance of the Naval Hymn, a historical reading, a memorial day prayer by Imam Abdul Hai Patel, a reading of In Flanders Fields – written by 91�Թ� alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae – and a reflection by Rabbi Jonathan Jaffit.

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy joined Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and other representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces, 91�Թ� alumni, students, staff and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen in the archway of Soldiers’ Tower.

A moment of silence was observed after the placing of the wreaths.

At 91�Թ� Mississauga, a ceremony was held in front of the Davis Building with Alexandra Gillespie, 91�Թ� Mississauga principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, in attendance.

The service at 91�Թ� Scarborough was held in the Meeting Place. It was attended by Wisdom Tettey, 91�Թ� Scarborough principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, and featured performances by the concert band, concert choir and string orchestra.

Here is how the Remembrance Day services were captured through the lenses of photographers at 91�Թ�:

(photo by Polina Teif)

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces attended the Service of Remembrance on the St. George campus.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Chancellor Rose Patten, Vice-Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy and 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus. The ceremony was also attended by Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister (second row).

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Members of the university community joined Alexandra Gillespie, 91�Թ� Mississauga principal and 91�Թ� vice-president (second from right), in placing wreaths during a Service of Remembrance in front of the Davis Building.

(photo by Polina Teif)

The Hart House choir performed near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Wreaths were laid near Soldiers’ Tower by representatives of 91�Թ�, government, the Canadian Armed Forces and other members of the university community.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Piper Rory Sinclair performed following the wreath laying near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus.

(photo by Don Campbell)

Wisdom Tettey, 91�Թ� Scarborough principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, delivered remarks at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place at 91�Թ� Scarborough.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Capt. Angela Lam of the 25 Field Ambulance medical unit of the Canadian Armed Forces delivered a historical reading about a 91�Թ� alumnus who perished in the Italian campaign during the Second World War.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Cpl. Steven Abra played the Reveille near the end of the ceremony on the St. George campus.

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day 2023 across its three campuses

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:56:04 +0000

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day 2023 across its three campuses

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 11/07/2023 - 14:56

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(photo by Johnny Guatto)

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Each year, the 91�Թ� community gathers to mark Remembrance Day with services to pay tribute to those who served and perished in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts.

With Remembrance Day falling on a Saturday this year, 91�Թ�’s in-person ceremonies will be held across the three campuses one day earlier – Friday, Nov. 10. Flags will be flown at half-mast in honour of soldiers and veterans, including 91�Թ� students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Here’s how 91�Թ�’s campuses will mark Remembrance Day 2023:

St. George

The Service of Remembrance will take place at Soldiers’ Tower at 10:20 a.m. and will include a carillon prelude and postlude.

The ceremony will include words of welcome, a recitation of the poem “In Flanders Fields” – written by John McCrae, a physician and 91�Թ� graduate who served in the First World War – and a historical reading about a 91�Թ� alumnus who perished in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. The reading will be delivered by Capt. Angela Lam of the 25 Field Ambulance medical unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Governing Council Chair Anna Kennedy will place wreaths at Soldiers’ Tower, as will 91�Թ� students, faculty and staff and representatives of the government and armed forces.

All members of the 91�Թ� community are welcome to attend.

91�Թ� Scarborough

91�Թ� Scarborough’s Remembrance Day ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. in the Meeting Place.

The service, which will be attended by Wisdom Tettey, 91�Թ� Scarborough principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, will feature performances by 91�Թ� Scarborough’s concert band, concert choir and string orchestra.

91�Թ� Mississauga

Members of the 91�Թ� Mississauga community are invited to join the 2023 Service of Remembrance in front of the Davis Building, near the flagpole.

Alexandra Gillespie, 91�Թ� Mississauga principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, will attend the ceremony, which will commence at 10:45 a.m.

91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day across its three campuses

mattimar — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:17:12 +0000

91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day across its three campuses

mattimar Fri, 11/11/2022 - 13:17

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Wreaths were laid on Remembrance Day in the archway of Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

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Community members gathered on the 91�Թ�’s three campuses Friday to honour those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, hundreds of people attended a cermony at Soldiers’ Tower, which included a playing of the tower’s 51-bell carillon, while hundreds more watched via livestream on 91�Թ�’s YouTube channel.

Following an Indigenous land acknowledgment, words of welcome and a performance of the Naval Hymn, Capt. Roland Llewellyn-Thomas, a member of The Queen’s Own Rifles and the Soldiers’ Tower committee, recited In Flanders Fields, which was written by 91�Թ� alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae.

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Vice-Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy joined Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and other representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces, 91�Թ� alumni, students and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen in the archway of Soldiers’ Tower.

A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of the fallen after the placing of the wreaths.

At 91�Թ� Scarborough, the the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place, attended by 91�Թ� vice-president and Principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough Wisdom Tettey, included a performance by the string orchestra, concert choir and concert band.

91�Թ� Mississauga held a ceremony at the front of the William G. Davis Building that was attended by 91�Թ� vice-president and Principal of 91�Թ� Mississauga Alexandra Gillespie.

Here is Remembrance Day 2022 captured through the lenses of photographers at 91�Թ�:

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

Hundreds watched as Rev. Richard Ruggle spoke at the podium near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

Rev. Andrew Wesley, who sits on the council of Aboriginal Initiatives Elders’ Circle at 91�Թ�, read the story of the Cree of Hunters of James Bay.

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

Attendees at the ceremony on the St. George campus display their poppies and medals.

(Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Maëlis Barre, president of the 91�Թ� Mississauga Students’ Union, lays a wreath in front of the William G. Davis Building. She was joined by Alexandra Gillespie, 91�Թ� vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Mississauga, and Richard Waters, treasurer at USW Local 1998.

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler carries a wreath at Soldiers’ Tower. He is joined by Anna Kennedy, vice-chair of Governing Council, and 91�Թ� Chancellor Rose Patten (at rear, in uniform).

(Photo by Sean Liliani)

Wisdom Tettey, 91�Թ� vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough, delivers remarks at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place at 91�Թ� Scarborough.

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus.

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

The Hart House Chorus performs near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus.

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

Sophia Franc played the Reveille near the end of the ceremony on the St. George campus.

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day 2022 across its three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 19:51:41 +0000

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day 2022 across its three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/04/2022 - 15:51

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(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

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The 91�Թ� community will mark Remembrance Day with services across its three campuses in honour of soldiers and veterans, including those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

In-person ceremonies will be held on Nov. 11 and all flags will be flown at half-mast at 91�Թ�.

Here is how each campus plans to mark Remembrance Day 2022:

St. George

The Service of Remembrance on the St. George campus will take place at Soldiers’ Tower at 10:20 a.m. Students, staff, faculty and librarians are invited to join the service in person or register to watch the livestream.

The service will include a carillon prelude and postlude, words of welcome, a recital of “In Flanders Fields” – a poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian officer, surgeon and 91�Թ� graduate – and a reading by Rev. Andrew Wesley, a former Elder-in-Residence at First Nations House who sits on the Council of Aboriginal Initiatives Elders’ Circle.

U of T President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Anna Kennedy, vice-chair of the governing council, will attend the ceremony and place wreaths at Soldiers’ Tower. Representatives from the government, the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as 91�Թ� alumni, faculty and students, will also lay wreaths.

91�Թ� Scarborough

91�Թ� Scarborough’s string orchestra, concert choir and concert band will perform at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place.

The official ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. with Wisdom Tettey, 91�Թ� Scarborough principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, delivering a land acknowledgement and remarks.

91�Թ� Mississauga

The Remembrance Day ceremony at 91�Թ� Mississauga will start at 10:40 a.m. in front of the William G. Davis Building (near the flag pole).

Alexandra Gillespie, 91�Թ� Mississauga principal and 91�Թ� vice-president, will speak and lay a wreath during the ceremony.

The program also includes a flag lowering and raising, as well as a reading of “In Flanders Fields” by a representative of ECSpeRT, a team of student volunteers with advanced medical first responder training.

In photos: 91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day with virtual ceremonies

mattimar — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:22:17 +0000

In photos: 91�Թ� marks Remembrance Day with virtual ceremonies

mattimar Thu, 11/11/2021 - 13:22

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A veteran pays his respects during a Remembrance Day ceremony that was livestreamed to the public from Hart House on 91�Թ�'s St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

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Undergraduate Students

The 91�Թ� marked Remembrance Day with virtual events that honoured those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

A physically distanced Service of Remembrance on the St. George campus was filmed at Hart House and was livestreamed to the public. Normally held at Soldiers’ Tower, this year’s ceremony was moved due to construction of the Landmark revitalization project on the St. George campus.

After the words of welcome, Faculty of Music alumna Nila Rajagopal recited In Flanders Fields, which was written by alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae.

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten, Governing Council Chair Brian D. Lawson and Acting Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young joined representatives of 91�Թ� alumni, students and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen.

Wisdom Tettey, vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough, joined the ceremony at the St. George Campus to lay a wreath. While there was no ceremony at 91�Թ� Scarborough this year because of indoor gathering restrictions, a wreath display at the Meeting Place is open for community members to pay their respects.

More wreaths were laid on behalf of government representatives, the student union, the Canadian Armed Forces and others. A virtual wreath display followed on behalf of the university’s colleges, faculties, departments and programs.

Before the moment of silence in memory of those who died or suffered in wars and armed conflicts, Rev. Richard Ruggle remarked: “The silence has become the defining moment in our service. It can speak when words fail.”

At 91�Թ� Mississauga, a livestream ceremony featured opening remarks by Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie. The virtual service also included a reading of In Flanders Fields, laying of wreaths, a performance of Last Post and a moment of silence.

This marked the second year where the in-person service was altered to follow COVID-19 public health guidelines. At the St. George campus, those participating in the virtual service wore masks and remained physically distanced. The hymns and anthems were pre-recorded.

Here’s how 91�Թ� marked Remembrance Day in 2021:

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler and Chancellor Rose Patten at the Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces lay a wreath at the ceremony that was livestreamed from Hart House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Mississauga, took part in a virtual Remembrance Day ceremony that was streamed online (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Wisdom Tettey, vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough, participated in the virtual ceremony livestreamed from Hart House (photo by Johnny Guatto)

A wreath display in honour of the fallen at 91�Թ� Scarborough (photo courtesy of 91�Թ� Scarborough)

Normally held at Soldiers’ Tower, this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony was livestreamed from the Hart House quadrangle due to construction (photo by Johnny Guatto)

A virtual Remembrance Day ceremony was filmed at the Hart House quadrangle on the St. George campus while maintaining physical distancing protocols (photo by Johnny Guatto)

'A distinctly Canadian legacy': Frederick Banting helped pioneer aviation medicine during the Second World War

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:28:45 +0000

'A distinctly Canadian legacy': Frederick Banting helped pioneer aviation medicine during the Second World War

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/11/2021 - 09:28

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Left: Flight deck, ink and pencil on tracing paper, by Hubert Reginald Rogers. Right: Frederick Banting, oil on board, by Tibor Polya.

Jim Oldfield

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Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Doctor and researcher. Inventor and Nobel laureate. Painter and war hero.

Frederick Banting is widely recognized for achievements in many fields – including, famously, the discovery of insulin with colleagues at the 91�Թ� and partner hospitals a century ago.

His contributions in the First World War are also well-known – as a physician on the front lines and at the Battle of Canal du Nord, where he was injured by shrapnel yet kept working and ultimately received the Military Cross.

But often overlooked are Banting’s efforts before and during the Second World War on medical aspects of aviation. Planes had reached new levels of altitude and speed, creating harsh conditions for aircrews and health problems such as low oxygen and G-force induced blackout.

Banting used his national influence to restart and grow research on this vital aspect of the war. His efforts helped establish the field of aviation medicine in Canada and built the foundation for advances in Canadian aerospace medicine that continue today.

Frederick Banting in 1941 (91�Թ� Archives)

“Banting was absolutely instrumental to aviation medicine in Canada,” says Jordan Bimm, a post-doctoral researcher and instructor at the University of Chicago who studies the history of science, technology and medicine with a focus on human aspects of space exploration.

“The field would not have developed without him – at least not in the same way, largely because he was such a powerful medical celebrity. He got things done that others could not.”

In 1938, Banting, as a veteran, saw the threat of war was again real, says Bimm, who completed his undergraduate degree in history at 91�Թ�. He was persuaded to focus on aviation research by Maj. A.A. James of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, who had been arguing for Canada to urgently invest in this field – as Germany had done for years.

Banting in turn lobbied for federal support and his efforts led to creation of the Associate Committee on Aviation Medical Research of the National Research Council in 1939. Banting chaired the committee, which funded aviation research and equipment across the country in universities and military units.

When war came in fall 1939, Canada already had the nucleus of a multi-disciplinary aviation medical research team with equipment available or in construction, according to Chester Stewart, a professor and later dean of medicine at Dalhousie University who had worked with Banting to document the state of medical research and training in Canada.

“Some of this equipment was of totally new design and permitted investigation of problems hitherto almost untouched,” Stewart later wrote for the journal Public Affairs in a seminal article that details the committee’s impact on Canadian aviation research during the war.

A combined cold room and low-pressure chamber at the Canadian military’s No. 1 clinical investigation unit, on the grounds of the former Eglinton Hunt Club on Avenue Road in Toronto, became the first on the continent to replicate conditions for the study of high-altitude illnesses.

A human centrifuge in Toronto

Researchers from 91�Թ� used the unit to design the first oxygen mask that did not freeze at low temperatures. Additional work by 91�Թ� physicists led to the discovery of dry oxygen that further improved mask design, and an oxygen demand valve that automated oxygen intake based on the individual needs of aircrew.

British and U.S. researchers also used the unit and other Canadian facilities, according to Stewart, who wrote that medical aviation scientists in this country were ahead of their American counterparts in some areas even before the war began, and published prolifically throughout the conflict.

Toronto’s No. 1 unit also became home to the first human centrifuge in any country outside Germany. This large and expensive machine replicated the human effects of gravitational force at high speeds, which included blurred vision and blackouts.

Wilbur Franks, professor in the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, poses with the Franks Flying Suit – the worlds first G-suit, which allowed Allied fighter pilots to remain conscious when executing sharp turns at high speeds (Jack Marshall Photography/91�Թ� Archives)

Wilbur Franks, a 91�Թ� alumnus and cancer researcher working under Banting, used the centrifuge to develop one of the world’s first anti-gravity suits. The Franks Flying Suit, made of fluid-filled rubber, saw combat action over North Africa as early as 1942 and informed later designs of U.S. aviation and aerospace suits.

More advances came from the work in Toronto and by other Canadian teams, including non-fogging, wide-vision goggles, methods to detect carbon monoxide, better communications equipment and noise-reduction helmets.

Some historians have questioned the value of this output and wondered if Banting’s unparalleled power to direct research funding was always in the best interest of science. But most agree the work was significant, and that it created a lasting interest in aviation medicine in Canada.

“Unlike insulin, the individual discoveries matter less than the slow, incremental story about an influx of attention and focus for a niche field, which has left a distinctly Canadian legacy in aviation and aerospace medicine,” says Bimm. “That’s Banting’s real contribution here.”

The equipment and research teams that Banting helped set up produced advances after the war, though at reduced speed. Canada became the third nation in space in 1962 with the launch of the Alouette-1 satellite, and later made advances on the vestibular system and balance during space flight, and a type of motion sickness called space adaptation syndrome.

David Saint-Jacques on a spacewalk (photo courtesy of CSA and NASA)

A disproportionately large number of Canadian astronauts have come from medical or health-science backgrounds, relative to other countries – another example of aviation medicine’s lasting influence, Bimm says. They include Roberta Bondar, David Williams, Robert Thirsk, David Saint-Jacques and Ken Money.

The military No. 1 unit on Avenue Road evolved and in 1994 moved to Downsview, which remains an important centre for research on technology and human performance through Defence Research and Development Canada.

Joan Saary is an occupational medicine specialist and associate professor in 91�Թ�’s department of medicine, who is also a consultant physician and flight surgeon working with the Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment and the Canadian Space Agency.

She says Canada is uniquely positioned to play a role in aerospace medicine through medical and other technological expertise. She plans to help build that potential with a new fellowship program at 91�Թ�, which will offer interdisciplinary and experiential training in aerospace medicine.

“Unlike traditional medical training programs, fellows will participate in unique experiences such as flight school to understand the aviation environment,” says Saary. “We have a cadre of experts in this country who can teach and mentor another generation to solve the health challenges of space travel, which is increasingly a civilian activity.”

Training and research in aerospace medicine often centres on enabling health and safety in extreme environments, and here Canada has an edge due to geography. “Canada is an interesting analogue for space,” says Saary. “In space environments there are issues of distance, delayed communications and an inability to evacuate in harsh, remote conditions, which are similar concerns in the Canadian North.”

Technologies developed to mitigate risk in aerospace environments can also be applied to terrestrial medicine, says Saary, who began her Canadian Forces work with divers. Recent examples include satellite tracking of COVID-19 and other pandemics, clinical use of miniature cameras initially designed for space and cardiac monitors now used in intensive care.

A key goal of the fellowship program is to prepare graduates who can foster knowledge exchange and contribute in academic, military and civilian organizations.

“Canada has quietly changed the world through aviation and aerospace medicine innovations for decades,” Saary says. “I think we can do a lot more of that.”

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day with virtual ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:19:13 +0000

91�Թ� to mark Remembrance Day with virtual ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 11/09/2021 - 15:19

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(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

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John Kenneth Macalister, a University College graduate in law, was a Rhodes Scholar studying at the University of Oxford when the Second World War broke out.

He turned down a job offer at the University of New Brunswick to serve in the Canadian infantry. Assigned to British intelligence, he parachuted behind enemy lines with Frank Pickersgill, a fellow 91�Թ� graduate.

Both were captured and killed at Buchenwald concentration camp.

Macalister and Pickersgill are among the 557 91�Թ� students, staff and alumni who died between 1939 to 1945. Another 628 people with ties to 91�Թ� gave their lives during the First World War.

On Nov. 11, 91�Թ� will be marking Remembrance Day in honour of soldiers and veterans, including the students, faculty, alumni and staff who died in the world wars and other conflicts.

The ceremony on the St. George campus – normally held outside Soldiers’ Tower, which stands as a memorial to those who lost their lives in combat – is being held remotely this year due to limits on gathering sizes and construction in the area.

Here is how each campus plans to mark Remembrance Day:

St. George

A live-streamed Remembrance Day ceremony is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. this Thursday with a carillon prelude by carillonneur Roy Lee. Although it is not possible to attend in person, everyone is welcome to participate virtually.

Words of welcome will be followed by a recital of “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, a Canadian officer, surgeon and 91�Թ� graduate in medicine who died of meningitis and pneumonia while on active duty in 1918.

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and 91�Թ� Scarborough Vice-President and Principal Wisdom Tettey will lay wreaths, though the event will not be open to the public.

The university leaders will be joined by representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces and 91�Թ� alumni, as well as Hart House Warden John Monahan and 91�Թ� Students’ Union President Alexa Ballis.

91�Թ� Mississauga

Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie is expected to open an online Remembrance Day ceremony streamed live on Microsoft Teams beginning at 10:45 a.m..

There will be a reading of “In Flanders Fields,” followed by a laying of wreaths, performance of “Last Post” and a moment of silence.

91�Թ� Scarborough

91�Թ� Scarborough is not holding a ceremony this year due to indoor gathering restrictions.

Instead, community members are encouraged to join Tettey, vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Scarborough, at the St. George virtual ceremony.

There will, however, be a wreath display at the Meeting Place on Nov. 11 for community members to pay their respects.

In photos: 91�Թ� community honours the fallen during virtual Remembrance Day ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:30:14 +0000

In photos: 91�Թ� community honours the fallen during virtual Remembrance Day ceremonies

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 11/11/2020 - 19:30

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Muntaka Ahmed, president of the 91�Թ� Students' Union, participates in a physically distanced Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus that was livestreamed to the public (photo by Johnny Guatto)

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St. Michael's College

91�Թ� Mississauga

91�Թ� Scarborough

University College

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, the 91�Թ� community came together virtually to honour those who fell in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, a physically distanced Service of Remembrance took place at Soldiers’ Tower and was livestreamed to the public.

With the sun shining, 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Governing Council Chair Claire Kennedy joined representatives of 91�Թ� alumni, students and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen.

Ann Urquhart Knopf, daughter of alumnus Lt.-Col. Gerhard Knopf, also laid a wreath and delivered a moving recitation of the wartime poem In Flanders Fields, written by University College and Temerty Faculty of Medicine alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae.

Like many Remembrance Day events across the country, the annual services at 91�Թ�’s three campuses were altered this year to respect public health guidelines and protect the health and safety of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety measures included masked attendees, Plexiglas barriers and pre-recorded hymns and anthems.

At 91�Թ� Mississauga, a livestream ceremony featured opening remarks by Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie, while 91�Թ� Scarborough’s virtual service included Vice-President and Principal Wisdom Tettey as well as faculty, staff, alumni and community representatives. The archived ceremonies can be watched here (St. George, 91�Թ� Mississauga, 91�Թ� Scarborough).

Nearly 30 wreaths were laid in advance of the St. George ceremony on behalf of government representatives and campus community groups, including campus police, student unions and councils. A virtual wreath display was also created.

In honour of this year’s 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the St. George service paid special tribute to St. Michael’s College alumnus Lt.-Col. John Anthony Clancy, a 1940 engineering graduate who was one of thousands of 91�Թ� alumni who fought overseas and distinguished himself in the fight for the liberation of Europe.

Here is a snapshot of how 91�Թ� paid its respects to the fallen while respecting COVID-19 public health guidelines:

Participants in the livestreamed Remembrance Day ceremony at Soldiers’ Tower observe physical distancing guidelines (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The Remembrance Day service on the St. George campus, although closed to in-person spectators, was livestreamed to the public (photo by Johnny Guatto

Participants in 91�Թ� Scarborough’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony observe a moment of silence (image via 91�Թ� Scarborough)

91�Թ� President Meric Gertler lays a wreath at Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus (photo by Johnny Guatto)

The bagpipes are played behind a Plexiglass barrier (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of 91�Թ� Mississauga, took part in a virtual Remembrance Day ceremony that was streamed on Microsoft Teams (image courtesy of 91�Թ� Mississauga)

The national anthem is played by the UTSC concert band during at 91�Թ� Scarborough’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony (image courtesy of 91�Թ� Scarborough)

Nearly 30 wreaths were laid in advance of the St. George ceremony on behalf of government representatives and campus community groups (photo by Johnny Guatto)

A wreath is laid on behalf of the 91�Թ� community (photo by Johnny Guatto)

From asbestos to exhaust, 91�Թ� alumnus mitigates environmental health threats for Canada's soldiers

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 14:41:59 +0000

From asbestos to exhaust, 91�Թ� alumnus mitigates environmental health threats for Canada's soldiers

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 11/11/2020 - 09:41

Cutline

An alumnus of 91�Թ�'s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Maj. Gary Johnston protects soldiers from environmental health risks in his role as a bioscience officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (photo courtesy of Gary Johnston)

Heidi Singer

Topic

Global Lens

Alumni

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Remembrance Day

For the first time in his 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, Maj. Gary Johnston will be remembering Canada’s war dead by watching a ceremony on TV.

“I don’t think I’ve really come to terms with it yet,” says Johnston, a bioscience officer with the Department of National Defence, who holds a Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the 91�Թ�.

“Just because of COVID, I’ll be at home. But I hope everyone takes the opportunity on the 11^th minute of the 11^th hour to remember, for your own personal reasons, the sacrifices Canadians have made.”

For Johnston, who served in Afghanistan, South Sudan and other dangerous places, sacrifice isn’t an abstract emotion. Today, he’s thinking of high school friend Myles Mansell, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006. Growing up in Victoria, B.C., Johnston remembers goofing around with Myles as part of the stage crew in his high school’s theatre production. They both joined the Forces right after high school, with Johnston starting as an infantryman in the Canadian Scottish Regiment and Mansell as an artilleryman in the 5^th Field Artillery Regiment.

“Growing up, a veteran was always someone from an older generation who landed on the beaches of Normandy or fought in Italy,” Johnston says. “But today we have veterans in their 20s. So for me, it’s also a time to remember our soldiers and allies right now serving in the Ukraine, Latvia and Mali. We have personnel around the world.”

He does more than remember.

Overseas, deployed soldiers can face environmental health risks from the water they drink to the air they breathe. Some parts of Afghanistan have high levels of asbestos in bedrock. Prolonged exposure to smoke from burning garbage, engine exhaust aboard frigates and reduced ventilation in submarines all require monitoring and mitigation. Even the task of assessing whether personnel have proper access to showers and toilets falls to Johnston and his team of environmental and occupational health specialists.

“When you think of conflict, you think of acute threats like bullets and bombs,” he says. “You don’t always think about chronic exposures to the dust in the air or smoke coming off garbage dumps or exposure to contaminated water or soil. These are all risks that soldiers face on a daily basis.”

In Latvia, Johnston visited Skrunda-1, an abandoned secret city used by the Soviets to watch for potential missile attacks during the Cold War. His team found asbestos in many of the building materials used in the construction of the city, including in the settled dust. As a result of his team’s findings, Canadian troops were advised to avoid using the site for training until it was properly remediated.

Maj. Gary Johnston, a 91�Թ� alumnus, is pictured in South Sudan in 2016 (photo courtesy of Gary Johnston)

In 2016, when Canadian troops were working as UN observers to secure South Sudan, Johnston was caught in a civil war after the president tried to arrest his vice-president. It later became known as the “Battle of Juba,” but most Canadians have probably never heard about what happened on the ground.

“We were trapped in theatre for a week trying to evacuate,” he recalls. “There were heavily armed patrols going door to door in the capital, while two helicopter gunships made attack runs over one of the opposition-controlled neighbourhoods. It was pretty scary for a few days. But we still had a mission to do. We finished collecting our samples as best we could, but we were only allowed to depart the country with a backpack each, so we packed the air samples and left all of our bulky soil and water samples behind.”

As a bioscience officer, it’s not surprising that Johnston now works on COVID-19 issues, helping to adjust conditions for Canadian Armed Forces members to avoid spread of the virus. In mid-March, shortly after delivering his yearly guest lecture at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health for former professor James Scott, Johnston received his first assignment: He was tasked with augmenting the military’s medical intelligence team, helping the Department of National Defence understand the countries at greatest risk of political instability due to the virus.

Johnston has deep family ties to the Forces. His father and grandfather were both career Navy men. His sister is currently serving in the Navy and his nephew is a naval veteran.

“I take a lot of pride in it – when the country has called, my family has always answered and served,” he says. “It’s given me a lot of opportunities, like being able to go to 91�Թ� for my post-grad, to see the world and to work with a lot of extremely dedicated and passionate soldiers, sailors and air men and women. I’ve always really enjoyed it and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”