The Last Salute honours Sunnybrook’s centenarian Veterans

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At Sunnybrook, as the home to Canada’s largest Veterans Centre, it is important that we ensure our Veterans know they have not been forgotten, and that their sacrifices for Canada will always be remembered.

During Veterans Week, and every week, we hope you will find an opportunity to reflect, remember and honour the sacrifices of our Veterans. We thank them for their dedication and service to Canada.

Lest we forget.Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Events have taken place all week at Sunnybrook Veteran’s Centre to commemorate Veterans Week.

On Monday Nov. 7th The Last Salute exhibit was launched. “The Last Salute created by Photographer, Yuri Dojc and interviewer Alannah Campbell, opened up for the first time to Veteran residents, their families and Veterans Program staff.

“In 2023 – in honour of the 75th anniversary of the official opening of Sunnybrook – the project will move beyond the walls of the Veterans Centre so that these stories may be shared with all staff and beyond. You can catch a glimpse of The Last Salute in the Sunnybrook Service of Remembrance that will be posted on Sunnybrook’s You Tube channel on Friday November 11th as of 10:30 am. You can also look out for media coverage expected this week on Global TV Toronto, CTV National News, City TV, and CBC.”

On Monday, Nov. 7th, the Sunnybrook Veterans Portrait Series was also released. You can view the 2022 portrait series of Sunnybrook centenarians by photographer Kevin Van Paassen at this link. “In the past, they were fighting for our freedom. In the present, we continue to honour and remember their sacrifices. Throughout time, they’ve always been — and always will be — our heroes.” Follow the link to view photos of nine Veteran heroes who are now residents of Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre.

Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, Remembrance Day 2021

Tuesday, Nov. 8th, Indigenous Veterans Day, was a day to honour the contributions of Indigenous Veterans to Canada’s military. Sunnybrook grounds staff reproduce Philip Cote’s artwork that was created to commemorate the long tradition of service and sacrifices in war of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people of Canada. Philip Cote is an Indigenous artist, activist, educator, historian, cultural advisor and Ancestral Knowledge Keeper from Moose Deer Point First Nation. He is Shawnee, Lakota, Potawatomi, Ojibway, Algonquin and Mohawk. Learn more about Philip Cote here.

On Thursday, Nov. 10th, Operation Raise a Flag will commence. Flags will be planted around the Bayview campus for Remembrance Day as a symbol of honour and appreciation. The campaign this year will also incorporate artwork designed by an Indigenous artist, to be planted alongside the Canadian flag; a symbol honouring the sacrifices and contributions made by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans in service to Canada.​ Visit raiseaflag.ca to learn more, and make a donation, if you can.

On Friday, Nov. 11th, Remembrance Day, the Veterans will be honoured with the sound of pipers and drums throughout the day, amongst other private moments of ceremony and thanks. This year, one of the Veteran centenarians will be reading “In Flanders Field” in the Remembrance Day service. More service information is on their website.

Follow Sunnybrook on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for more stories and photos throughout Veterans Week.