I found being a guard of Honour at the Menin Gate ceremony on the 8th of November 2009 a very moving expierence and I shall never forget.

48 members of Gravesham District Explorer Scouts and Leaders set of on Friday morning of the 6th November at 8am on a trip they will remember for the rest of there life's taking part in a weekend of Remembrance in France and Belgium.

Visiting these places in one weekend before returning home at 11pm on Sunday the 8th November. Our first port of call was at Tyne Cott Cemetery were 12,000 Commonwealth soldiers are buried and we laid the first of two wreath. Then on to, Sanctuary Wood a muddy trench system & museum, Hill 62 & Caterpillar Crater. On Saturday we visited the Museum in Peronne and then to Guided Tour of Fricourt the German cemetery La Boisselle Lochnagar Crater which is 100m across a mine crater created by tunnelling under the German lines then exploding them this was one is 19 mines along the Messines Ridge the explosions were heard in London.

Then on to Thiepval a British Memorial to the 73,367 men still missing were we left more poppies. Beaumont Hamel Trench system were 800 left the trench but by the dead tree in no mans land only 68 were left. In the evening we have new friend with the Scouts of Cambria. On Sunday it was of to Wellington Quarry were 20,000 lived underground be for going over the top then on to Vimy Ridge the Canadian memory 30m high Vimy Ridge the Canadian trench system.

Before arriving at the Menin gate to be given the Honour to stand Guard over the wreath laying ceremony. To stand there at the head of our District watching my explorer scouts lower the flags as the last post was played had tears rolling down my face. And as they laid our wreath to the missing and fallen I know none of us will ever forget them or our weekend of rememberance. Here we were the Guard of Honour at the Ceremony on Remembrance Sunday flying and lowering of the flags, as the last post was played and then laying of a wreath. We Will Never Forget Andrew Andrew Martin ESL.

Your steadfast devotion to the memories of our fallen is far-reaching. Our troop learned of your kindness during a presentation by one of our volunteers who had the privilege of visiting your memorial during the summer months. Thank you for carrying out this solemn duty.

A lost relative, only 20 years old in 1917. We remember him, very proud and very sad.

As I am currently on an overseas posting I will miss the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, Canada which I have been fortunate enough to attend every year since my move to that city 27 years ago. In the absence of any local ceremony, I went to your website so that I could at least hear the Last Post without which a Rememberance Day is not complete for me. Thanks you and I look forward to attending the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate as soon as I have an opportunity to be in that part of the world.

I have been to the service at the Menin gate a lot and everytime I get a lump in my throat and a tear. The people in Ieper are very helpful and caring and I enjoy every trip I got o Ieper...Thank to all the people for looking after the war graves.

On October 9th we visited the WW1 sites for the third time. The Netherlands were neutral (?) during WW1. In our Dutch education we learned almost nothing regarding WW1, so we were overwhelmed when we saw with our own eyes what took place in the Westhoek. We participated also three times the "Last Post". It is breathtaking to see that after so many years so many people remember those who were killed. May the Last Post help people not to forget those young boys who died for our freedom. When you see what those young men and boys had to suffer you understand that we may never forget them!!!

I was fortunate enough to visit the Menin Gate on ANZAC day 2003. I would like to thank the people of Ieper who continue to recognise the fallen allies in such an honorable way. It was such a privilege to be present for the ANZAC day ceremonies. Thank you.

Back on Nov 1, 2005...I was part of a Military Honor Guard, along with some Royal Canadian Mounted Police members that were all of Aboriginal descent and from all over Canada. We had the greatest Honor of being invited to part take in this long standing tradition. Also present were our Aboriginal Veterans, who were given the Honor of laying wreaths.

I would like to thank your organization in keeping this long standing Honor and tradition to give thanks for those that fought in World War 1 and 2. Once my young son is old enough to take a long plane ride I wish to come back and have my picture taken with my son on where I stood on this memorable night. And to take him to the resting place of Private Westley Latham, which I had the chance to see during this trip. He was a member of my family on my father's mother's side (her maiden name was Latham). And that the hospitality of your great city was way beyond the "call of duty".