Community Remembers Fallen Soldiers in Remembrance Day Project

VIU video memorial that honours Nanaimo soldiers’ contributions to the First and Second World Wars to be displayed across the city.

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A unique video memorial project aims to tell a piece of the story of the lives of the Nanaimo soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First and Second World War.

For 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day, the Nanaimo Remembers project will display the names of more than 200 soldiers in prominent locations across the city. The names have been obtained from the Dallas Square Cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo and a new section this year highlights the contributions of local Indigenous soldiers, thanks to research conducted by Vancouver Island University (VIU) Elder-in-Residence Geraldine Manson.

The project, which launched for the first time last November, was spearheaded by Vancouver Island University’s Marketing, Analytics, Recruitment and Communications department, in collaboration with the University’s Canadian Letters and Images Project (CLIP) and Nanaimo Community Archives. Nanaimo Remembers grew out of a desire to localize a project VIU participated in for many years – The World Remembers, a display tribute to soldiers across the world who lost their lives in the Great War.

“For me, the impact of this project is that glimpse into the lives of these soldiers that we are providing, including their connection to the community,” says Dr. Stephen Davies, Director of CLIP. “In some cases, we tell people what area of Nanaimo they lived in, and what their occupations were before they went into service for their country.”

Information shared about each soldier, where available, includes their name, rank and battalion, when they died and at what age, where they were buried, their occupation, and their connection to Nanaimo.

The video presentation will run continuously from November 1 – 11, 2019, on the large screen in the Welcome Centre (Building 300 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus). It will also be showcased at several locations in the community during this time:

• Through the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools’ website, social media accounts and at participating schools;
• At City of Nanaimo facilities, including Beban Park and Oliver Woods Community Centre;
• At the Harbourfront, Nanaimo North and Wellington locations of the Vancouver Island Regional Library;
• At the Nanaimo Museum;
• At Woodgrove Centre in Centre Court;
• And at the Port Theatre on November 11.

After the project finished last year, VIU heard from several people who had seen their ancestors’ names on the screens.

“They were quite moved that we are honouring their relatives in this way,” he says. “We hope to add to the project every year in an effort to help shine a light on the incredible contributions and sacrifices made by local soldiers and their families.”

Check out the project at one of the participating locations above, or visit VIU’s YouTube channel.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenn McGarrigle, External Communications Advisor, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6559 | C: 250.619.6860 | E: Jenn.McGarrigle@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews

QUOTES FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS

“Woodgrove Centre supports many community initiatives, and the Nanaimo Remembers project by VIU is a natural complement to the annual poppy campaign in the Centre. We are proud to be hosting this digital memorial in advance of Remembrance Day.”

-Mark Fenwick, General Manager, Woodgrove Centre

“The City of Nanaimo is honoured to support the VIU Nanaimo Remembers project which so poignantly acknowledges the sacrifices made by Nanaimo’s soldiers who served Canada in World War I and II.”

-Leonard Krog, Mayor, City of Nanaimo

“Nanaimo Remembers is a wonderful tribute to the local soldiers who paid the ultimate price during the First and Second World Wars. This initiative honours their courage in the face of unimaginable danger and ensures that their names, their stories and their place in our community will never be forgotten.”

-Rosemary Bonanno, Executive Director of Vancouver Island Regional Library

“The VIU Nanaimo Remembers Project is an impactful way to bring our history to life and to remember the sacrifices Nanaimo citizens have made. The Nanaimo Museum is proud to host this meaningful memorial.”

-Sophia Maher, General Manager, Nanaimo Museum

“The Port Theatre is honoured to participate with Vancouver Island University and our community in remembering the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for future generations to enjoy the freedoms they fought for. It is both meaningful and critical that we continue to recognize the Nanaimo and area soldiers as well as their families.”

-Bruce Halliday, General Manager, Port Theatre

“Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is pleased to promote and showcase VIU’s Remembrance Day video memorial honouring and recognizing Nanaimo soldiers lost in the First and Second World War. It is one small way to honour past sacrifices and acknowledge the courage of those who served and are still serving today!”

-Charlene McKay, Board of Education Chair