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Heads were bowed across the University of Toronto's three campuses on Nov. 11 as the U of T community recognized Remembrance Day. 

At the St. George campus, the sound of the carillon’s bells rang out from atop Soldiers' Tower into the crisp autumn air in memory of soldiers and veterans, including those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars as well as other conflicts.

The ceremony also honoured the 100th anniversary of Soldiers’ Tower, as well as the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), with Lt.-Col. Peter MacLaurin, chair of the Soldiers’ Tower Committee and Lt.-Col. David Letellier de St-Just both speaking in front of an audience that numbered in the hundreds. 

The service, which was attended by students, alumni, faculty, staff, local and federal government representatives and veterans, honoured Canada’s war efforts through poems, historical vignettes and an account of the dedication of Soldiers’ Tower on June 5th, 1924.  

Wreaths were placed under the three arches by dignitaries who included U of T President Meric Gertler; Trevor Young, vice-president and provost; Anna Kennedy, chair of U of T's Governing Council; and Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and minister of finance.

A plaque commemorating the anniversary of Soldiers' Tower was presented by Corwin Cambray, president of the U of T Alumni Association.  

A gun salute at nearby Queen’s Park echoed loudly into the air as “O Canada” was sung by the hundreds of attendees. A public reception at the Great Hall in Hart House concluded the ceremony. The Tower’s Memorial Room remained open to the public until 4 p.m. 

U of T Scarborough commemorates Remembrance Day in the Meeting Place 

Over at the U of T Scarborough campus, Remembrance Day service was held in the Meeting Place to honour those who served in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.  

The ceremony was attended by Linda Johnston, U of T Scarborough principal and U of T vice-president, Karin Ruhlandt, vice-principal academic and dean, and featured performances by the UTSC concert band, concert choir and string orchestra.  

Trumpeter Michael Barth played the "Last Post" while community representatives laid wreaths on behalf of faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Scarborough community. 

U of T Mississauga honours the fallen 

U of T Mississauga’s Remembrance Day ceremony took place in front of the Davis Building, where Alexandra Gillespie, U of T Mississauga principal and U of T vice-president, Philip Anyang, vice-president, equity at the U of T Mississauga Students’ Union, and Richard Waters, representative of USW Local 1998, were present to lay wreaths to honour the fallen. 

U of T St. George marks Remembrance Day, centenary of Soldiers' Tower