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Overnight vigil to honour veterans

Nov 9, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A commemorative flame will burn throughout the night on Friday in Meadow Lake to honour and bring awareness to veterans and to acknowledge the various struggles they can face.

A candlelight vigil is set to take place at the cenotaph at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #79 on First St. W. starting at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, and will take place throughout the night. At 8:30 a.m. on the morning of Remembrance Day, a Legion member will transport the ceremonial flame to the service at the Civic Centre, where it will burn throughout the duration of the event.

Marj Matchee, the organizer of the vigil, called Operation Beacon, said the event is for veteran awareness, especially for those injured, forgotten, who are suffering, and who have died by suicide.

She said the event will be a way to honour veterans of all backgrounds, and is organized in partnership with the local Legion.

“We will be honouring our wounded at night, and our deceased veterans during the regular service during the day,” said Matchee. “I’d like to do a little bit here in Meadow Lake for our veterans, we all have a part to play in this.”

She said the community is invited to participate by bringing a candle, sharing stories and showing respect.

“A lot of people have veterans [in their lives], who made a difference in history,” she said. “It’s those kinds of stories that link us. Hopefully people come out all night long and say a prayer say a poem or a song.”

The event will commence with an opening ceremony where one large candle will be lit, and will conclude in the morning with the passing of the flame, and the playing of the First Post

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath