Veterans will be honoured by candlelight on Saturday, April 7 in commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Karen Crashley, secretary of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 164 and president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, said the event is an annual memorial that has grown over time.
“It’s a tribute that they’ve been doing through the legions for a long, long time,” she said. “They do a lot of them in Vancouver where they have hundreds [of people].”
Crosses, candles and Canadian flags are placed beside the graves of Powell River service personnel.
The Powell River branch organized the first event four years ago, believing there were 87 graves of service personnel in Cranberry Cemetery. It soon became clear, however, that there were 199. That number has risen to 257. As well, there are 10 graves in Holy Cross Cemetery at Kelly Creek.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place from April 9 to 12, 1917, is considered one of the greatest battles in Canada’s history. For the first time in World War I, all four Canadian divisions fought together on the same battlefield and successfully captured the ridge
The ceremony starts at 3 pm at Cranberry Cemetery. Those attending don’t have to be Legion members. A bus will leave the Legion on Alexander Street at 2:30 pm to take veterans and their spouses to the service. There, candles will be lit.
Dinner will follow the ceremony at 6 pm at Legion hall. For veterans the dinner is free. For spouses or widows it is $5. Tickets for the dinner must be picked up by March 31. There are only 100 tickets available. Those attending will be taken by bus back to the cemetery at 8 pm so the candles can be seen lit in the dark.
Veterans, widows or family members of veterans who would like to light a candle at the ceremony can sign up at the Legion.
On Wednesday, March 28, crosses will be placed on the graves. Crashley requests that if anyone does not see a cross on a veteran’s grave to let the Legion know.
To ensure missing names are on the list, people can call the Legion at 604.485.4870 between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday or Crashley at 604.485.5176. For more information, interested readers can call the Legion.
