LPA delegation visits the US

On Monday, June 5^th 2023, the Ypres’ Last Post Association travels to New York and Washington.  The delegation consists of vice-chairman Mathieu Mottrie and buglers Raf Decombel and Jan Callemein. They travel to the US at the invitation of the Doughboy Foundation and Taps for Veterans, who also want to start a daily Last Post Ceremony in Washington from 2024.

On September 13, 2024, the official opening of the new US memorial for the First World War will take place in Washington in the presence of President Biden. The World War One Centennial Commission is the organizer of the event. With Ypres as example, they also want to organize a daily Last Post (‘Taps’) at the new memorial in honour of all American soldiers. The new memorial is located in Pershing Park, next to the White House. About three years ago they contacted the Last Post Association to exchange experience and know-how.

Together with Flanders House in New York, a program was developed in which the delegation of the Last Post Association will visit various places and monuments. In total, the Ypres buglers will sound the Last Post three times in New York, Gettysburg and Washington. The ceremony in Washington on June 8, 2023 can be followed via livestream at 11 p.m. via https://www.youtube.com/@DoughboyFoundation. On Friday, June 9, 2023, the Ypres delegation will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Vice-chairman Mathieu Mottrie: “The Last Post Association is extremely pleased and honoured to be involved in the launch of the daily ceremony in Washington. On July 2^nd 2023, we celebrate the 95^th  anniversary of the very first Last Post on July 2^nd 1928. We are happy to make our experience and expertise available to the American initiators. By the way, we will travel to the US again in September 2024 for the sounding of the Last Post at the official opening of the new memorial.”