Marking Remembrance Day – a message from the President

Each year, November 11 is set aside in Canada as Remembrance Day so we can recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in our country’s military during times of both conflict and peace – including the more than 118,000 Canadians who have given their lives in the course of that service from the First World War to the present. 

With Remembrance Day landing on a Saturday this year, the University will observe the statutory holiday on Friday, November 10. Classes are cancelled that day and most University activities are paused. 

To further commemorate Remembrance Day, the flag will be lowered to half mast on November 8 for Indigenous Veterans Day, and again on November 11. The University of Regina sign on the southwest corner of the main campus will be lit up in red on the weekend. On behalf of the University community, I will also lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Regina’s Victoria Park as part of the annual Remembrance Day service organized by the Legion. In addition, I will attend the Remembrance Day ceremony held at First Nations University of Canada from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 9. For others wishing to attend the FNUniv event, additional information may be found here. 

Many people in our University community – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – have relatives whose names appear on the Saskatchewan War Memorial. — Dr. Jeff Keshen, President, University of Regina.

It is also of note that as a member organization of the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), the University is taking steps to enhance the educational opportunities available to current members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces in recognition of their service. More information about this initiative may be found on our website Military and Veteran Student Resources | University of Regina (uregina.ca). 

Looking back at the past century, approximately 11,000 people from Saskatchewan gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, in military training, and in peacetime operations. This represents a tremendous sacrifice given the population of our province, and each of those individuals is memorialized on the Saskatchewan War Memorial, which is located in Wascana Centre in Regina between the Legislative Building and Albert Street. 

Many people in our University community – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – are related to or have other close connections to those whose names appear on the Saskatchewan War Memorial. Earlier this week, I took some time to visit the memorial and pay tribute to those who served. As you have the opportunity over the next few days – and indeed throughout the year – I encourage everyone to visit the memorial to honour those from our province who gave their lives for our country. 

Lest we forget.