At the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, our duty to remember was expressed in many ways, once again this year, as we honoured the veterans who live at Ste. Anne’s Hospital as well as those who frequent the Operational Stress Injury Clinic. Through activities that combined solemn reflection with moments of celebration and sharing, we paid tribute to our war heroes and those who have served on various missions.
The links below will take you to recent news reports and articles that appeared in the Journal de Montréal and on Global News and that feature some of our veterans:
- https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2025/11/11/jour-du-souvenir-un-veteran-canadien-souhaite-que-le-r…
- https://globalnews.ca/video/11520849/the-forgotten-war-remembering-the-korean-conflict/
- https://globalnews.ca/video/11516069/global-news-at-6-montreal-nov-6/
Have a look at this photo montage to learn more about the rich tradition of commemoration that is unique to Ste. Anne’s Hospital.
Photo 1: Employees from the Operational Stress Injury Clinic (OSIC) pose in front of a collective work of art created as part of an art activity with “Hope and Recovery” as a theme.
From left to right (standing): Caroline Ouellet, Psychologist; Sylvain Jetté, Social Support – Operational Stress Injuries.
From left to right (seated): Mélanie Bartczak, Occupational Therapist; Isabelle Cornell, Psychologist; Joëlle Isaac-Crépeault, Social Worker; Maria Riccardi, Art Therapist; Olivia André, Administrative Officer.
Photo 2: A beautiful commemorative montage that pays tribute to veterans of all generations created by users of the Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Physical Disability work program at SAH.
Photo 3: A very touching moment during the ceremony marking the launch of Veterans’ Week. Félix Labelle, a veteran of the Second World War and SAH resident, poses with his great-grandson, a bagpiper.
Photo 4: uesday, November 11, Remembrance Day, Annie and Howard McNamara, residents and veterans of the Second World War were the guests of honour at a Montréal Canadiens game. Mr. and Mrs. McNamara were at centre ice to take part in the ceremonial puck drop.
Photo 5: Veterans, family members, employees, volunteers and partners gathered for a touching wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the soldiers who died on the battlefields.
Photos 6-7: Three artists were kind enough to display their magnificent works of art in the auditorium during Veterans’ Week. They are, from left to right, watercolour paintings, by René Vinet, a veteran of the Second World War and a member of the Royal Canadian Navy; model cars, made by Jacques Vézina, a veteran of the Second World War and a member of the Army; and paintings and sculptures by Jeanne Hart, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 20 years. Ms. Hart donated her collection Sacrifices oubliés to the Quebec Veterans Foundation.
Photo 8: Bagpiper Graham Batty’s participation was much appreciated by the SAH community during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Photo 9: Getting ready to be greeted by the receiving line honouring the veterans.
Photo 10: Clients of the OSI Clinic working on a collaborative work of art as part of an activity. From left to right: Joëlle Isaac-Crépeault, Social Worker; Carline Fidèle, Veteran; Maria Riccardi, Art Therapist.
Photo 11: Cake-cutting marking the official launch of Veterans’ Week, under the watchful eye of the master of ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Audet, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment.
From left to right (standing): Richard Legault, Chairman of the Institutional Board of Directors; Dr. Geneviève Richer, Director of Medical Services at SAH; Sophie Roussin, Area Director—Québec, Veterans Affairs Canada; Jeanne Hart, Veteran and Artist-Painter; Martine Ouédraogo, Nurse Clinician at the OSI Clinic.
From left to right (seated): Roger Blais and Jacques Vézina, two Second World War veterans.
Photo 12:Hugh Rutter, a Second World War and Korean War veteran, laid a wreath in memory of his Merchant Navy brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
Photo 13: Many enjoyed the special veterans’ lunch, sponsored by the Quebec Veterans Foundation.