The Canadian Remembrance Torch project is conducted in the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), a state-of-the-art applied research, innovation, and manufacturing facility affiliated with the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. The facility is located off-campus, in Hamilton, Ontario.
Meet The 2024 Team
“We are honoured to take on the challenge of creating the next Canadian Remembrance Torch. This new and improved Torch will be lighter and burn longer. The process requires the investigation of the whole iterative manufacturing process from designing, to machining, to testing.”
What is your background? Do you have any ties to the First or Second World Wars, or any conflict since?
I was born in Canada and am of Indian heritage. Growing up in the Canadian schooling system, I participated in various remembrance activities, particularly around Remembrance Day. I was taught to remember the sacrifices made during wars and to honour Veterans by proudly wearing a poppy each year. Canadian remembrance is important to me because the sacrifices made by these Veterans contributed to this peaceful country that attracted my parents to immigrate before I was born. They saw Canada as a safe and prosperous country which would give me the opportunity to thrive.
How has your involvement in The Canadian Remembrance Torch project influenced you?
I originally approached this project from a mechanical design and manufacturing perspective. However, I soon realized that the challenges go well beyond that to include, for example, fuel types, refueling methods, commemorative symbols, aesthetics, and a ceremonious way to extinguish the Torch. The Torch is about showing gratitude and appreciation for our country. My involvement has enabled me to honour and remember Veterans for their efforts in safeguarding this nation.
What is your background? Do you have any ties to the First or Second World Wars, or any conflict since?
I was born and raised in Canada, and my parents are Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong. I don’t have many ties to remembrance in Canada, however I have a friend who is enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada and another friend who trained in the Canadian Armed Forces.
How has your involvement in The Canadian Remembrance Torch project influenced you?
My involvement in this project has proven to be a valuable experience. From an engineering perspective, I have been able to develop my skills within the shop and become familiar with different machines, which has greatly influenced my interests in future career plans.
What is your background? Do you have any ties to the First or Second World Wars, or any conflict since?
I was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario by first-generation immigrant parents of Indian descent. Within their first few years in Canada, my parents married on Canadian Remembrance Day in 1989. Since then, their marriage has always been connected with Canadian heritage. During family outings to celebrate their anniversary, we have come across many ceremonies and tributes for our Veterans and fallen soldiers. This has been the foundation of my experience with remembrance in Canada.
How has your involvement in The Canadian Remembrance Torch project influenced you?
I took an immediate interest in this Torch when I heard about the project because I wanted to make an impact on a deeper human level. Throughout school, remembrance ceremonies have always been able to connect with me through the stature and stories of our war Veterans. Our team is striving to make a beautiful commemorative torch that honours the previous iteration while finding innovative ways to improve it.
