The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 242 held its annual Candlelight Tribute Ceremony at the Barriere Cemetery on the evening of June 23. A large group of Legion members and supporters turned out for the ceremony.
Veteran’s Affairs Canada states, “Candlelight ceremonies began in the Netherlands to show thanks and to honour those who liberated the country and its people from German occupation during the Second World War.
“In 1995, the people of the Netherlands held a special ceremony to commemorate their liberation by Canadian forces fifty years earlier. Dutch children placed lit candles on the graves of Canadian soldiers and the candles remained lit overnight in silent tribute. Residents were drawn to the cemeteries by the soft red glow of the candles burning in the dark. As a result, commemorative candlelight tributes have now become annual ceremonies in the Netherlands and other European countries.
“Similar tributes take place across Canada in both public and private cemeteries. Encouraging youth, their families, Veterans and Canadian Forces (CF) members to interact with one another is an important element of the commemorative event.”