Every evening since 1928, the Last Post has been played under the Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper, Belgium, at 8pm sharp. On 9 July 2015, the Last Post will be blown for the 30,000th time. To celebrate this unique occasion, fire stations around the world are invited to join in.
The Last Post was a bugle call played in the British Army (and in the armies of many other lands) to mark the end of the day's labours and the onset of the night's rest. In the context of the Last Post ceremony (and in the broader context of remembrance) it has come to represent a final farewell to the fallen at the end of their earthly labours and the onset of their eternal rest.
When the 30,000th Last Post is sounded by the buglers under the Menin Gate this Thursday, it is hoped that a moment of silence and contemplation will be held in as many fire stations as possible around the world. A simple gesture; a tribute celebrating the worldwide solidarity between the firefighters of all nations. This will not be a large-scale, 'spectacular' but a quiet and dignified coming together of kindred spirits in a special place - the local fire station.
Taking into account the time difference, this means it will be 4am Friday 10 July in Victoria - a difficult time for all-volunteer fire stations in particular to open up and get together.
If you would like to commemorate and celebrate our fallen members at another time this week, you can find more information about the program for the ceremony here.
Author: CFA Partnerships and Marketing