We went to explore the city of Ypres in Belgium and take part in the last post ceremony. The city is beautiful with a rich history and was even raided by the Romans in the first century.
We walked through the city of Ypres looking at the stores, shops and admiring the architecture. We came to a chocolate store which we couldn’t resist going inside and checking it out.
After checking out the assorted chocolates we continued down the street toward the main plaza. We stopped at the main plaza and enjoyed a cold beverage at a pub close to the Cathedral.
After exploring the old quarter of Ypres, we walked along a path that followed the Kasteelgracht river. There was a stone wall that ran parallel to the river. We stopped to take a break and sat on the wall enjoying the scenery.
We walked the trail for a period of time and then headed to the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing.
The Menin Gate Memorial to the missing was built-in 1927. The gate is dedicated to the unknown graves of British and common wealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres battles and World War One. From 11 November 1929, the Last Post has been sounded at the Menin Gate Memorial every night and in all type of weather. The only exception to this was during the four years of the German occupation of Ypres from 20 May 1940 to 6 September 1944.
We arrived at around 6:45 pm and lined up along the sidewalk to wait for the playing of the last post to begin.
The gate is very large and there is a hall of memory which contains the names of 54,395 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Battles but whose bodies have never been identified or found.
For us being at Ypres and seeing the Last Post was a very somber and emotional experience. It is one of those events that is surreal and will stay with us for a long time. By 8 p. m. there was a very large crowd present for the start of the Last Post.
The start of the Last Post was incredible, although there were crowds of people it was completely silent. The three volunteer firefighters marched to the center of the Menin Gate with a bagpiper. It was a stirring moment, with the acoustics of the gate making the bugles, even more vibrant.
Flags were lowered by two individuals as the Last Post began.
After the Last Post was finished, a former British serviceman walks to the center of the gate and recites a part of the ode of remembrance.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
The recital is followed by a moment of silence and then the sole bagpiper played a song.
After the bagpiper was finished there was complete silence and selected people began to lay wreaths at the memorial in the Menin Gate.
After people laid the wreaths at the memorial, the ceremony was finished and people quietly began to leave the Menin Gate. It was a very touching event and one that we will remember for years.
“Tot ziens en een goede dag”
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