The annual “Candlelight Tribute” is a ceremony known as passing the torch of remembrance from adults to younger generations to ensure that the ceremonies of remembrance are not forgotten.
This is a ceremony that can be held at any time of the year. The Oliver legion selects this weekend (May 4) as it is the week of VE Day (end of the Second World War – May 8, 1945).
The ceremony itself actually recognizes and commemorates the sacrifice and dedication made by those veterans who served Canada and were lucky enough to return.
There are other former serving military members in the cemetery who are also considered veterans, under the legion definition. All these people served the country in peace and in war.
Veterans, legion members, other adults and as many youth from the community and district are asked to participate.
The Oliver legion holds its ceremony in the veterans plot of the Oliver cemetery. Over 200 candles – in red plastic holders with wind tops – are placed on the graves of all the veterans in this area and other areas of the cemetery.
An adult takes a lit candle and is accompanied by a youth to each grave site. The candle is passed to the youth to set the candle on the grave site. This continues until all of the graves in the veterans area are completed.
Anyone who has a family member buried in the cemetery will be asked if they wish to deposit a candle on a specific grave on Sunday, May 4.
Prior to the candle ceremony, the Oliver legion performs a legion tribute, complete with a trumpeter sounding Last Post and Reveille.
