A very special sunset is on the horizon at Royal Roads University.
Thousands of sunsets have passed in the 20 years since the former military college became a university.
But a traditional Sunset Ceremony will make this Saturday (April 25) especially significant as the 75th anniversary celebrations kick off with the school honouring its military past.
B次元官网网址淲e hold a strong and significant view of ourselves and there are (military) connections; it is a part of our base,B次元官网网址� said president and vice-chancellor Allan Cahoon. B次元官网网址淚t is not just physical, it is an educational connection. I am quite comfortable connecting to our past B次元官网网址� For us it is part of who we are.B次元官网网址�
The origins of the ceremony are traced back to 16th-century soldiers.
They lowered their flags at sunset as they settled into camps and cities for the evening. Another military routine saw the beating of drums at dusk, a signal to return to the barracks B次元官网网址� the drums were sometimes accompanied by tunes, hymns and the national anthem played by a military band. It is a ceremony the Royal Roads Military College performed annually prior to the graduation parade from 1972 to 1995.
B次元官网网址淲hen you have a celebration, you give acknowledgement to things because it is important,B次元官网网址� Cahoon said. B次元官网网址淲e have accomplishments we are proud of and we want to talk about those.B次元官网网址�
The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, which includes the Naden Band, the United States Air Force Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the Royal Military College of Canada Pipes and Drums and more.
Dave Bindernagel, former commandant of the military college and chair of the ceremony organizing committee, looks forward to remembering the past with an eye on the future.
B次元官网网址淚t has been 20 years since Royal Roads has had a military ceremony on the parade square and this Sunset Ceremony will help remind folks of that rich military history that is an inherent part of Royal Roads,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hat continuation of excellence in leadership and education, as well as the ability to change lives positively, are an obvious bedrock of RRU today.B次元官网网址�
The event is organized in partnership with the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadets Club. Bindernagel hopes the public takes the time to enjoy what he expects to be a rich, visual celebration of the 55-year military and educational history of Royal Roads.
B次元官网网址淭his ceremony allows us, in a small way, to demonstrate the importance of service to Canada and community which Royal Roads stood for in its military past, and which is certainly represented by RRU today.B次元官网网址�
The ceremony happens from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. For details on visit .
