Annual Halton Hills Candlelight Tribute May 7 to honour veterans; hundreds of students are involved

By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca

 

For over two decades, the Candlelight Tributes program has served as a bridge between Georgetown’s youth and the veterans who secured their freedom.

 

This year, as the community prepares for the May 7 ceremonies, organizers are highlighting both the enduring success of the student program and a call for new faces to join the evening public tribute.

 

While the concept of candlelight tributes is recognized nationally, the Georgetown event is a deeply local event as it has been an annual event starting in 2002.

 

Doug Penrice, a volunteer with the Candlelight Tributes committee for over 15 years, emphasized the community-specific nature of the program.

 

“While there are other similar events, this is centred in Georgetown,” Penrice explained. “We work closely with Legion Branch 120 in Georgetown. Many of our volunteers are Legion members as well.”

 

He added the organization remains volunteer-driven, receiving financial support from local service clubs and Veterans Affairs Canada to maintain its goal of “keeping the memory alive.”

 

Participation among local schools remains robust. This year, Penrice said the organization anticipates just over 1,000 Georgetown and Glen Williams students will attend the two daytime silent walks.

 

A morning procession will begin in Georgetown with students walking from the Georgetown Fairgrounds to Remembrance Park, arriving around 10 a.m.

 

Starting just after 1 p.m., the entire student body of Glen Williams Public School will march to the cenotaph at Confederation and Main streets.

 

Each student will carry a candle to place at the base of the cenotaph, which bears the names of 68 local men lost in conflicts ranging from the First World War to the war in Afghanistan.

 

Penrice noted that May will mark the 81st anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation and June will mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, referring to the allied landings in France in the Second World War.

 

While student engagement is at an all-time high, the committee is looking to revitalize the evening public event. Penrice noted that historically, this portion of the tribute has seen a decline in numbers as past participants have aged.

 

“New people are difficult to reach out to,” Penrice said. He added that the evening walk is a vital opportunity for the broader community to show their respect.

 

For the evening walk, residents are encouraged to gather and pick up candles at the Edith Street Parking Lot in Georgetown at 6:30 p.m., with the silent walk beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at Remembrance Park.

 

For more information, residents can contact the Candlelight Tributes Committee at 905-873-8469 or email Penrice at doug1951.p@gmail.com.