Mishall Rehman
This Sunday, Dec. 4, Canadians are once again encouraged to lay a wreath in remembrance and gratitude of this country’s veterans.
An annual tradition for many years now and sponsored by Wreaths Across Canada Inc.(WAC), a non-profit organization, this ceremony is held on the first Sunday of December.
“This simple but effective “thank you” is central to the entire program. The wreaths symbolize our thanks to those who have served their country in the military and now lie at rest. Whether they died in battle, training accidents or years after retiring from the military, all who lie buried in these hallowed grounds deserve the thanks of a grateful nation for defending the freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy today,” according to WAC.
Several ceremonies will be held across the country including a national ceremony at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa and The Fields of Honour at Brookside and Transcona Cemeteries in Manitoba. The ceremonies will commence at 1:30 p.m.
An additional ceremony will be held at the Notre Dame Cemetery in Vanier, Ontario at 10 a.m.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, cadets and veterans along with everyday Canadians will come together to lay wreaths on each veteran’s tombstone. It is expected that upwards of 3,000 wreaths will be laid at Beechwood alone.
WAC promises that the experience will be a moving and an emotional one, as Canadians take the time out to think about the young and old who gave their life for this country.
“Regardless of their rank or service, they shared the common bond of service to their country and in this place their graves are uniformly marked to match the uniform they once wore,” states the WAC website.
WAC was launched in 2007 by veteran Craig McPhee. The first ever Wreaths Across Canada ceremony was held in December 2009. A national ceremony has been held at Beechwood Cemetery since 2011.
For more information visit the Wreaths Across Canada website.
