For the 6th year in a row, I headed to War Memorial Gym at UBC yesterday for the Remembrance Day ceremony. It was encouraging to see the 350+ people there, as I remember my first two ceremonies had probably between 100-125. It’s nice to know that our generation still cares about those who came before us.
Remembrance Day serves as a reminder of many things, but I wanted to highlight one aspect that doesn’t get told very frequently – why the space is called “War Memorial Gym.” While watching sports heroes battle on the court, I rarely connect the gymnasium’s name with the fact that it was built to commemorate the UBC heroes that died during the world wars. I usually rush by the memorial on the wall which reads:
To the men and women of our University and our province who gave their lives for freedom, this building is dedicated by the students and friends of the University of British Columbia.
This made me think of the other “uncovered” stories we have at UBC, like:
Why is Totem Park called Totem Park and where are it’s totem poles now?
What’s in the Science Undergraduate Society’s time capsule and when will it be opened?
Why was UBC REC’s Great Trek Run forbidden to happen off campus?
And these stories don’t just happen at UBC. As my roommate knows, every piece of furniture in our apartment has a story behind it – a previous owner, marking a first of some sort, etc. It makes them seem more important than just a couch or a picture. When you live (or work or study) in a place with history, it makes you feel like you are part of something bigger than you. A part of a legacy started by those who came before you.
What story can you uncover today?
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