The drive along the South Shore of Nova Scotia is one of rolling hills, hard and soft wood forests and frequent glimpses of the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. On one or two occasions, the legendary Oak Island with its mysterious - and apparently unrecoverable - buried treasure is also visible in the distance.

Following yesterday's program in Halifax, the Norway Pilgrimage 2001 delegation has come to one of Canada's most picturesque communities, Lunenburg, for its busiest and most emotional day. It is here, on the south side of the town's quiet harbour, that a remnant of Camp Norway still stands as a monument to the service and sacrifice of many of Norway's Second World War veterans.

Among those hardy, young men - many not much more than boys - was Ingvald Wahl who has returned to this place of memories to share them with the people of Lunenburg. It was this community that played such an important role in his life and in the lives of many Norwegian seamen who made their home in this sea-going town during those difficult years of war.

Two busloads of veterans, students, Veterans Affairs staff and pilgrimage organizers begin the day at the Lunenburg Fisheries Museum, home to an excellent collection of photographs and artifacts from Camp Norway. The morning continues with a tour of Lunenburg followed by a brief service of thanks at Canada's oldest Lutheran church.

Norwegian veterans Ingvald Wahl (left) and Victor Pittman discuss Mr. Wahl's Second World War experiences at Camp Norway in front of a display at the Lunenburg Fisheries Museum.

Canada's lone surviving Victoria Cross recipient, Ernest "Smoky" Smith, VC, (left) chats with Maxwell Zwicker, veteran of Canada's Merchant Navy. Sea Cadet, Myles Freeman of Lunenburg looks on.

Delegation members attended a service of thanks at the Lutheran Church. Seated in the front row are (left to right) Roy Thorne, Merchant Navy veteran from Halifax, Smoky Smith, VC, Gunnar Sonsteby, Ingvald Wahl.

After lunch, students at the Lunenburg Academy, a striking structure built in 1894 atop one of the town's many hills, were treated to Gunnar Sonsteby's recollections of wartime experiences. Mr. Wahl, in a brief but poignant address, brought greetings from Norway's King Olaf, with whom he and nine other Norwegian veterans met only three weeks ago. When he mentioned to the King that he would be in Lunenburg today, Mr. Wahl was asked to extend the sovereign's gratitude to the people of the town.

The Lunenburg Academy is one of Canada's outstanding examples of late 19th century architecture of institutions of learning.

Academy students mingled with local veterans and pilgrimage guests during an assembly early in the afternoon.

The three stars of the student gathering were the visiting Norwegian veterans Ingvald Wahl (left) and Gunnar Sonsteby (centre) and Canada's Smoky Smith, VC.

The emotional high point of the day unfolded at the Lunenburg cenotaph, an attractive array of memorials set gracefully on the side of a grassy hill several blocks above the harbour.

Two Lunenburg veterans receive some special attention from Nova Scotia's Lieutenant-Governor and her husband prior to the cenotaph service.	A Colour Party from the Lunenburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the local RCMP detachment leads a parade of veterans, students and musicians to the town's cenotaph for the Service of Remembrance.
Norway's Ambassador to Canada Ingvard Havnen, expresses his gratitude to the citizen's of Lunenburg and Canada for bringing an end to Norway's occupation and the Second World War.	Aaron Taylor, trumpeter with the Lunenburg Senior High School Band plays the Last Post during the Service of Remembrance.

The Last Post sounds as pilgrimage guests stand quietly remembering the war dead of Canada and Norway.

Lindsay Zwicker, a member of the Youth Media Team which has accompanied and reported on the pilgrimage prepared the following reflection on the mid-afternoon ceremony.

The children lining Cumberland Street waved their handmade Norwegian and Canadian flags to the beat of the drummer leading the parade through Lunenburg. Veterans and cadets marched in time with the sound, followed by the participants of the Canada - Norway Pilgrimage 2001.

A few of the veterans at the head of the parade held tall Canadian, Norwegian and Nova Scotian flags proudly as they waved in the slight wind off the water.

The remembrance service was held where the parade stopped outside the Cenotaph, a gazebo located next to three war memorials. Many dignified guests, such as the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Myra Freeman, and the Royal Norwegian Ambassador to Canada, Ingvald Havnen, came to the event to greet the veterans, students and members of the community of Lunenburg.

The service started with the Lunenburg Junior Senior High School Senior Band playing a combination of "Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet" and "O Canada", Norway and Canada's respective national anthems.

Their musical offering was followed up by a prayer from Reverend Doug Moore of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, which urged a remembrance of men and women lost in the wars and a keeping of the peace we enjoy in both Canada and Norway.

The Master of Ceremonies, Doug Himmelman, then introduced the Lieutenant-Governor to say a few words about Lunenburg's historical connection with Norway. She reminded the people that in a time of need, Lunenburg opened its arms to Norway by providing a safe haven to train their navy and by keeping the sailor's spirits up by offering friendship. She encouraged the youth assembled on the hill to speak with the veterans and learn the valuable lessons they have to offer.

Havnen stepped up to the podium next, and spoke eloquently about why learning about Nova Scotia's heritage is so important for youth, and how learning first hand is even more special.

Gunnar Sonsteby, Ingvald Wahl and Ernest "Smoky" Smith, VC, read the Act of Remembrance to the congregation, who listened with rapt attention. Trumpeter Aaron Taylor played the Last Post to introduce a two minute silence and Reveille to end it.

Following this performance was the laying of five wreaths on the Norwegian War Monument. The wreath representing the people of Canada was laid by the Lieutenant-Governor, the Norwegian wreath was laid by Ambassador Havnen, the veteran wreath was laid by Messers Sonsteby and Smith, the Camp Norway wreath was laid by Mr. Wahl and the wreath representing the youth was laid by Lisa Irving and Myles MacIntosh.

The band closed the ceremonies with "Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet" and "O Canada" as the parade continued down Cumberland Street and turned the corner onto Duke Street.

REALVIDEO
Highlights from Wednesday's Service of Remembrance at the Lunenburg Cenotaph. 28.8K   56.6K

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