The leaves fall gently on the graves of soldiers, who fought proudly for their country, and blowing in the wind among the gravestones is small, but meaningful Canadian flags.
The Royal Canadian Legion takes the time each year to personally place a flag on every soldier’s grave who is buried in the Barrhead Field of Honour.
The cemetery has been in Barrhead since 1925, when the Anglican Church donated the land for the sole purpose of the Field of Honour.
“I have been a member for 46 years and it was there then,” Herman Barkemeyer, member of the Barrhead Royal Canadian Legion, said.
There are over 200 graves in the Field of Honour, with some of the graves being those of the wives of veterans, which will not be marked by a flag.
The Legion has been placing tokens of gratitude on the graves for 25 years, after starting the tradition in 1989.
According to Barkemeyer, flags were not always placed on the graves, but wreaths were once used to remember those who fought in the war.
The Legion switched to flags in 2009 so that they could remain out during even the coldest of elements, and will last even through the winter.
The tradition spans not only for the Field of Honour, but also across all of the graves for veterans within the county of Barrhead.
“We also do all of the country graveyards that are in our county,” Barkemeyersaid.
Barkemeyeradmits that he hasn’t done it alone, and with the help of Wilf Seal, John Schroder, and John Tiemstra, this beautiful display is able to be seen by everyone who passes by.
With the Canadian flags blowing in the wind the graves almost seem to come alive, and are quite a sight to see.
Barkemeyer said it is beautiful, and anyone who is able should go and see the flags sitting proudly by the gravestones of those who stood and fought for their country.
The Remembrance Day ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. outside of the Barrhead Legion with a parade, which makes its way to Barrhead Composite High School where the service will last until 10:30 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m. the parade will be at the cenotaph where the ceremony will take place.
A lunch is then provided at the Legion which is open to the public, it often includes soup and sandwiches.
