Sunnybrook honours current and past Veterans
On June 6, 2024, the world marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Here at Sunnybrook, we brought together Veterans and their families, as well as staff and honoured dignitaries to commemorate the day and rededicate our recently renovated Cenotaph.
Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre is home to Canada’s largest Veterans hospital with 200 resident Veterans, who served in WWII, as well as the Korean War and the Cold War. Sunnybrook evolved from its origin as a military hospital established in 1948, to an internationally recognized health sciences centre, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto as a teaching hospital.
“Sunnybrook is proud, considers it an honour, to care for Canada's veterans. These courageous men and women served our country in the name of peace and freedom,” says Dr. Andy Smith, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, who served as emcee for the event, and welcomed the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, as well as Brigadier-General Josh Major, Commander of the 4th Canadian Division and Joint Task Force Central.
The day also included a rededication of the hospital’s recently renovated cenotaph which commemorates Canada’s war heroes and their sacrifices.
“We are profoundly grateful for the support of the Westmount Army and Navy Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command. Their generous donations made the refurbishment of the Cenotaph possible, which not only commemorates Canada’s war heroes and their sacrifices, but also offers a solemn place of reflection for Sunnybrook’s staff, our resident veterans and their families,” says Kelly Cole, President and CEO, Sunnybrook Foundation.
Please see below for photos from the ceremony, which also included:
Bob Chartre, resident Veteran who served on D-Day
Art Helm, Westmount Army and Navy Club
Derek Moore and Lynn McClellan, Royal Canadian Legion’s Ontario Command
Richard Ratcliff, resident Veteran and past president of Sunnybrook Veterans Council
Wes Roberts, chaplain, Sunnybrook Veterans Centre
