Remembrance Torches
“The Torch; be yours to hold it high.”
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote his world-famous poem, In Flanders Fields, while working as a Canadian army doctor in Flanders, Belgium soon after the death of a friend, and fellow soldier, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres.
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (1872-1918)
Hold it High
At the National Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, the last remaining WWI veteran, Jack Babcock (who died in 2010, at the age of 109) passed a torch of remembrance through several generations of Canadian veterans.
“We must never forget our fallen comrades,” said Babcock as he held the torch. “I pass this torch of remembrance to my comrades.” Then he raised it and said, “Hold it high.”
Pictured is Sergeant Randy Keirstead. Credit: Metropolis Studio
Carrying a Torch for Canada on Remembrance Day
In Goose Bay, Newfoundland, the Olympic Torch (as part of the 2010 Torch Relay) paid its respects to the fallen in the hands of a 20-member team from the Canadian Forces base there.
“It’s a special thing that the torch came here today,” said a Canadian Forces reservist, “and it being Remembrance Day makes it just that much more special.”
Pictured is Canadian Ranger Joe McNeil. Credit: Vancouver Sun
National Vimy Memorial in France to mark Vimy 100
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9th, a commemorative event was held at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
The event highlighted “the importance of passing the torch of remembrance to the youth of today.”
A young cadet passes the torch to a colleague at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Credit: Government of Canada, National Defence, The Maple Leaf, Assad Sharifi
A United Front of Remembrance
Hundreds gathered at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg for the Joint Veterans Association Remembrance Day ceremony which also recognized the 100th anniversary of the armistice of the First World War, and included a “passing of the torch” ceremony.
Canadian military service personnel holds torch. Credit: Ruth Bonneville, Winnipeg Free Press
Taking Up the Torch in Remembrance
The Torch Ceremony on Nov.11th in Swan River, MB spanned wars, countries, and generations, finishing with these words:
“If the people who care for our Canadian war cemeteries, and the people of Ypres who rebuilt their city, and the people who worked together to create our Vimy Ridge memorial and those poppies of Flanders Fields have something to tell us; the torch has also been passed on to you and me that we may fight for what is beautiful in life.”
Photo Credit: Unknown
‘Proud to Serve’: Vets Honoured at Remembrance Day Ceremonies
At Winnipeg’s Remembrance ceremony, 101-year-old RAF veteran, Ralph Wild, took part in the torch ceremony.
“If it (remembrance) disappears into the background, it’s forgotten,” said Wild. “The sacrifice should be recognized and preserved for posterity.”
The passing of the torch ceremony. Photo credit: Daniel Crump, Winnipeg Free Press
Remembrance Pilgrimage in Netherlands set for 2020
“Veterans’ descendants will carry Canada’s Remembrance Torch from Toronto to the Netherlands where they’ll walk 60 kilometres in the footsteps of the Canadian troops,” said organizer Karen Hunter, herself the daughter of a Canadian soldier who fought in the Netherlands during the Second World War.
This event was cancelled due to the Canadian Government’s Travel Advisory.
Infantry from the Stormont, Dunas and Glengarry Highlanders. Credit: Department of Defense/Library and Archives Canada
The Canadian Remembrance Torch makes its debut in the Netherlands
The Canadian Remembrance Torch—designed and built by students at McMaster University—will journey to the Netherlands with In Our Fathers’ Footsteps: A Dutch Liberation Pilgrimage.
After travelling 60 km along the route of the Canadian troops, a Torch ceremony will be held at Het Loo Palace with Princess Margriet, the Canadian Ambassador, Veterans, and students. The Torch will then return to Canada.
Letters of Support
”Your team’s hard work and talent shone through, and it was a delight to see the Veterans who so clearly enjoyed being a part of the process."
Lawrence MacAulay, PC, MP
Read Letter of Support
Dear Ms. Hunter:
Thank you for your email regarding “Thankful,” a hip-hop music video that expresses gratitude to Canada’s Veterans for the gift of peace and freedom, which was released on Canada Day 2022.
All Canadians owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who defended the peace that we enjoy today, and Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to preserving their legacy for generations to come. However, we do not stand alone in this mission and always welcome private initiatives that complement our commemorative programs. Your efforts to recognize and remember those who served in time for Canada Day are greatly appreciated.
My department values the work of The Canadian Torch of Remembrance and is proud to have provided financial assistance through the Commemorative Partnership Program for the production of “Thankful.” After you shared details of its release, it was my pleasure to screen it. Your team’s hard work and talent shone through, and it was a delight to see the Veterans who so clearly enjoyed being a part of the process. I am pleased that the Department’s funding was of assistance.
“Thankful” certainly speaks to our country’s pursuit of equity and inclusion. Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes the tremendous contributions made by Canada’s diverse armed forces and honours all those who served. Through the Canada Remembers Program, we aim to keep alive the achievements and sacrifices made by all those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace and to promote an understanding of the significance of these efforts in Canadian life as we know it today. Inherent in this commitment is the responsibility to share the stories of Canadian Veterans of different cultures, ethnicities, religions and genders, as Canada’s service personnel come from a variety of backgrounds.
I appreciate your inclusion of the Anishinaabemowin language in the song’s lyrics. Indigenous service men and women have played a vital role in shaping our country, and Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to ensuring that they are treated with dignity and that their contributions are appropriately commemorated. My department also works to promote Indigenous Canadians’ proud tradition of service, and learning materials highlighting their contributions can be found in the “Remembrance” section of the Department’s website under “Indigenous Veterans.”
I understand that you have shared your media advisory with Veterans Affairs Canada staff for their information. To further increase public knowledge of your project, I encourage you to interact with my department and those interested in Canada’s military history on social media by tagging Veterans Affairs Canada in your posts on Facebook (@CanadaRemembers), Instagram (@canadaremembers) and Twitter (@VeteransENG_CA).
Again, thank you for writing and for your interest in promoting remembrance of our Veterans and fallen heroes.
Sincerely,
Lawrence MacAulay, PC, MP
”For many years, Veteran Affairs Canada has used similar symbolism, referring to the ‘passing of the torch of remembrance onto the next generation’ as one of our top priorities."
”I am proud and honoured to support The Canadian Remembrance Torch.
Don WhiteCanadian WWII veteran Don White served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
In April 2019, the Dutch government named a tulip in Don’s honour.
