The annual Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 5 at the military gravesite of Canadian World War I hero, Private Buckam Singh, in Kitchener, Ontario. This ceremony is to honour and recognize all Canadian veterans and heroes.
This year’s keynote speaker will be the Hon. Randeep Sarai, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
Wounded twice on the battlefields of France in WWI, Canadian soldier Private Buckam Singh was one of only nine Sikh soldiers allowed to serve with Canadian Forces in WWI. This is the only military grave in Canada of a Sikh soldier from the World Wars.
The discovery of his war medal and military grave has led the Sikh community to honour a forgotten war hero.
Sikhs have a long martial tradition that extends back 400 years to the time of the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind who said that Sikhs had to be both saints and soldiers, organizers said in a statement.
Over 65,000 Sikh soldiers fought in WWI as part of the British Army and over 300,000 Sikhs fought alongside the allies in WWII.
Today Sikhs can be found in the militaries of many countries around the world including Canada where their religious articles of faith are accommodated and their military heritage is respected.
The Sikh Remembrance Day Organizing Committee says the event has now become one of the largest annual gathering of Sikh soldiers and veterans in North America.
“The ceremony allows Canadians the opportunity to appreciate the inclusive nature of our country and the sacrifices made by heroes from diverse backgrounds,” spokesperson Rupinder Kaur added.
