Dozens
of wreaths are laid at various locations in the building.
Typical is the message from the Hertfordshire and Essex High School: "Your
death was not in vain. When your sacrifice is remembered the world will
be a better place."
When
the arch was dedicated, on 24th July 1927, the Last Post was played under
the huge reverberating arch for the first time. It made such an impression
upon those present that eventually it came to be a regular ceremony.
At
7.45pm the town seemed to come to a stop, and everybody made their way
silently to the Menin Gate. At 8pm every day of the year, come rain, come
shine, there is a brief ceremony to remember the fallen. The Last Post
is played, and the traditional verse from Binyon's poem, "For the
Fallen " was said:
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.
No one can fail to be moved by this simple, dignified ceremony, made even more meaningful by the thought that once we were back at home, we could imagine it taking place, without fail, at 8 o'clock their time.
It
is, I understood, a high honour to play the bugles at this event, and
books for tourists suggest that it is appropriate if visitors sign the
Menin Gate Visitors Book, and thank the buglers.
Press here to download an MP3 recording of the Last Post at the Menin Gate.