Without their sacrifices many of us would not be here today.
That’s the message the Royal Canadian Legion is passing on with the annual Passing the Flame ceremony held at the Okanagan Falls Memorial Cemetery on Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. The cemetery, located on Maple Street and 14 Avenue, will feature candles on the graves of veterans. Legion members will join local children in lighting a candle and transferring the flame to the candles on the veterans’ grave.
The ceremony hopes to instill the memory of who Canadian veterans are and what they stand for in today’s youth according to Barbara Few, who is the publicity officer for branch 227 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Okanagan Falls.
“It’s a little ceremony, very short,” Few said. “The Legion member passes the light to the child who lights the candle on the grave.”
The short but sweet ceremony is taking place later in the year than usual, but still holds the same message and symbolism.
“It’s called passing the flame so they will remember who or what the veterans are,” Few said.
The legion is looking for any children interested in learning a little more about our veterans and taking part in the ceremony. The Legion has already contacted local groups including schools, the boy scouts and brownies, but anyone is invited to join in.
“It’s open to everybody and afterwards everyone is invited back to the Legion for a snack.”
There will also be a dinner put on for veterans after the ceremony at the local Legion branch. For more information contact Barbara Few at 250-497-6224.