Lest we forget – Durham College expresses gratitude at Remembrance Day ceremony

World War II veteran Fred Goddard, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday, and his wife Rita were recognized during Durham College’s Remembrance Day ceremony. Pictured from left to right are Goddard’s granddaughter Chelsea Abbott, a second-year Business Administration student; his grandson Kyle Goldman, a third-year Professional Golf Management student, Rita Goddard; Fred Goddard; Don Lovisa, president of Durham College; and Goddard’s daughter Laurie Abbott, a second-year Paralegal student.

November 15, 2010

Durham College students, faculty and staff were adorned with poppies on November 11 as they paid their respects to the thousands of Canadian men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for freedom and democracy.

At the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at the college’s Oshawa campus, the campus community including Durham College President Don Lovisa and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Vice-president of External Relations MaryLynn West-Moynes, joined Anthony Boland, president of The Student Association (The SA) and members of the college and university’s administrative and academic leadership teams at a Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by The Student Association.

“Today we remember the thousands of Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy,” said Lovisa.

The ceremony included Master Corporal Greg Scruton providing insight into Canada’s brave soldiers; Dr. Gary Polonsky, president emeritus of Durham College, singing the lyrics of a song he composed about peace; members of the Zeta Psi Fraternity reciting the famous poem In Flanders Fields; and Professor Rick Kerr performing the famous war-time song And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda. In addition, the Last Post was played followed by a minute of silence at 11 a.m.

The college was also honoured to have World War II Veteran Fred Goddard and his wife Rita in attendance at the ceremony. Goddard, who recently celebrated his 89th birthday, arrived at the event with his daughter Laurie Abbott, a second-year Paralegal student; his granddaughter Chelsea Abbott, a second-year Business Administration student; and his grandson Kyle Goldman, a third-year Professional Golf Management student.

A ceremony was also held at the Durham College Whitby campus and included the reading of poems, presentations and a moment of silence.