South Okanagan
Veterans' Candlelight Tribute
May 7, 2012 / 5:28 pm
Some lit candles, some said prayers and some stood at attention last night at the Oliver cemetery. People were there to honour veterans and fallen heroes.
The British Columbia Veterans Commemorative Association (BCVCA) designed a Candlelight Tribute program, to inspire Canadians to actively participate in Acts of Remembrance with Veterans and members of the Canadian Forces. About 20 veterans were at the ceremony.
Dressed in his marching uniform with medals from his service in the armed forces, Brian Wensley says, "This is our annual tribute to veterans who liberated Europe and we're here to honour veterans who came home and helped build this country and who are buried here in this cemetery" . . . we put candles on their graves to commemorate their efforts in the war."
The Youth Ambassadors, a Scout and a Beaver all helped to put candles on the graves.
"We put candles on their graves to commemorate their efforts in the war,"says Wensley.
A Candlelight Tribute is a commemorative ceremony where Veterans symbolically “pass the Torch of Remembrance” from one generation to the next. In accepting the “Torch of Remembrance” from the Veteran, the young Canadian acknowledges the responsibility to carry the legacy forward and honour the sacrifices of generations past.
Candlelight Tributes can be planned to suit the interests of the community, school or youth group. Ceremonies can also be planned indoors or outdoors, as a special red candle has been designed for these commemorative events.
The BC veterans' website says communities are encouraged to involve young people in the planning of Candlelight Tributes. Their intuitive and inspired understanding of the importance of “Remembrance”, will guide them in planning a Candlelight Tribute which is meaningful and memorable for their generation.
For more information on BC Veterans click here.
With files from Callum Mathieson.
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