Mount Royal University is honouring 29 former students who gave their lives in service to the country for Remembrance Day with their own Field of Crosses.
The crosses are a satellite installation of the one that erects more than 3,600 crosses along Memorial Drive every year.
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A news release from MRU said the project was made possible through the McCann Family Foundation and the Field of Crosses Memorial Project.
The founder of Field of Crosses said he hopes the crosses will be an inspiration to those on campus.
“The Field of Crosses memorial is honoured that Mount Royal University would choose to memorialize their own heroes and welcome them back to campus in the form of memorial crosses,” Murray McCann, founder of Field of Crosses, said in a release.
“Hopefully they will be an inspiration to all who pass by to stop for a moment and remember the huge price paid, recognizing that no greater love hath man than he lay down his life for his friends.”
Since the school’s founding in 1910, hundreds of Mount Royal students, staff and alumni have served in uniform.
On their website, MRU says it’s important to remember all who have served.
“We remember them. We remember their potential, their names – their faces. In keeping with our tradition of forging lifelong connections, the thread that ties each revered member of this group to Mount Royal will now stretch beyond their lifespan to touch generations.”
Former students honoured through bursary program
The 29 students are also honoured through the school’s Military Memorial Bursary program created in 201. Every year the bursaries support 29 Mount Royal students in honour of the 29 fallen members of Mount Royal University.
Paul Rossmann, vice-president, University Advancement, said the creation of a meaningful memorial was important. Rossmann also said he’s thankful the Memorial Drive Field of Crosses entrusted MRU with installing their own memorial.
“We honour their sacrifice and thank you for your commitment to their memory.”
