PILGRIMAGE OF REMEMBRANCE

The Royal Canadian Legion Pilgrimage of Remembrance began in 1936 with a visit to Vimy, France for the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Since that time, promoting a pilgrimage has been a part of our efforts to encourage Remembrance. Pilgrimages are conducted every two years.

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The next Pilgrimage of Remembrance is scheduled for July, 2019. Please note that the Legion’s Pilgrimage is conducted in English.  Individuals wishing to attend the Pilgrimage should indicate their interest to the Dominion Command Coordinator, Danny artin: dmartin@legion.ca

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Today’s pilgrimage encompasses some of the most important, as well as some of the least known, events of The First World War and The Second World War. Over 15 days, pilgrims experience being in the trenches of The First World War and the beaches of Normandy, and visit sites throughout Northern France and Belgium. They also experience the emotions of the Veterans, and of those they liberated. Ceremonies of Remembrance will be conducted at the cemeteries where so many Canadians found their final resting place.

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Taking a pilgrimage is important for a variety of reasons. For those who fought on the battlefields, a pilgrimage provides an opportunity to not only visit their fallen comrades, but for closure that may only be possible through revisiting the site(s) of so many memories. For those who lost family and loved ones on the fields, a pilgrimage is a way to shorten the distance between home and the site of their loss. For people who only connect with the battlefields through history books and our Canadian heritage, visiting these sites is an opportunity to more fully understand the sacrifices that were made by many for the freedom that we continue to enjoy today.