Every night at 8.00pm (20:00 hours) a moving ceremony takes place under the Menin Gate in Ypres. The Last Post Ceremony has become part of the daily life in Ypres) and the local people are proud of this simple but moving tribute to the courage and self-sacrifice of those who fell in defence of their town.
Just before 8 o'clock the police arrive and all traffic is stopped from driving through the Menin Gate.
For a few moments the noise of traffic echoing around the Menin Gate from the cobbled road ceases.
The crowd is hushed. A stillness descends over the memorial.
At 19.55pm Buglers of the local volunteer Fire Brigade arrive and stand ready at the eastern entrance of the Menin Gate Memorial. The Buglers then step into the roadway under the memorial arch and make their way to stand in the centre of the Hall of Memory. The Buglers stand in a line across the eastern entrance facing towards the town.
At exactly 20:00pm the Buglers sound the “Last Post” bugle call and this is followed by a minute's silence.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”
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