As night falls over Brookside Cemetery on September 10, more than 10,000 lights will shine. This spectacle will pay quiet tribute to the brave men and women who served our country.
Every fall, Brookside Cemetery hosts a Candlelight Service of Remembrance at sunset. Flameless tea lights flicker at each of the over 10,000 graves in the Field of Honour. It’s the final resting place for Veterans, Service Members, and War Heroes.
“The service pays tribute to the sacrifices of those who served,” said Brett Shenback, Cemeteries Administrator. "In addition to the lights in the Field of Honour, we have taller candles placed on the Stone of Remembrance. This memorial honours all those who died in the world wars."
A meaningful event
Setting up the candles takes several hours. Volunteers from Cadets, Scouts, Girl Guides, and Canada Commonwealth War Graves Commission join community members and cemetery staff to light the candles at the graves.
"There is something deeply moving, beyond words, about the Field of Honour. Crosses as far as the eye can see, each marking a life of service, sacrifice and devotion to our country,” said Cohen Rutledge, Provincial Executive Director, The Royal Canadian Legion Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Command. “As The Royal Canadian Legion celebrates our 100th anniversary, we are honoured to stand alongside the families and community members who gather at Brookside to ensure that every Veteran laid to rest remain in our memories.”
The event will also recognize the 70th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping Forces and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong.
The Candlelight Service of Remembrance began in 2012 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II. It has been an annual tradition ever since.
You’re invited to join us
We hope you’ll be able to join us for this year’s Candlelight Service of Remembrance. It’s on September 10 and starts at 7 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery (3001 Notre Dame Ave.)
Parking is limited, so we encourage you to park at the RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus in the south zone 1 parking lot. It can be accessed from Notre Dame Avenue.
There will be shuttle buses providing frequent service from the parking lot to the Cemetery. The last bus will depart the RRC parking lot at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Our City, Our Podcast
Find out what makes Brookside Cemetery more than a final resting place. Brett Shenback shares stories from all our cemeteries on Our City, Our Podcast. This episode was released in November 2025.
Listen in the player below or wherever you get your podcasts.