I'm a big fan of ceremony, especially when it involves honoring the military and people who have served their county. That's why the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns is always my favorite part of our Washington DC trip. As I was doing my research for the trip, I read a lot about The Last Post at the Menin Gate in Ypres, and I knew I needed to make time to watch the ceremony first hand. The Last Post Association holds a beautiful ceremony every evening at 8:00 PM, rain or shine, at which buglers play and wreaths are laid. By my estimate, there were about 1,000 people in attendance on a Wednesday evening, and a few people I spoke with came to Ypres just for the ceremony. (VIDEO COMING SOON)
While the ceremony itself is solemn, touching, and honorable, the actual Menin Gate dominated my experience. This massive structure contains the names of over 54,000 commonwealth soldiers missing from the fighting the Ypres salient during the war – yes, missing. There are so many names that they actually had to make an additional memorial in a nearby cemetery for 30,000 plus names. The number is staggering, especially when they are divided into their homelands and specific divisions, etched in stone for eternity. It's overwhelming, similar to the names listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Menin Gate is a gut punch for anyone, WWI aficionado or not – and is a must see.
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AuthorChuck Taft ArchivesCategories |