Flags represent nationalism, freedom and pride, and on Nov. 11, hundreds of them will represent sacrifices made at war.
The Highway of Heroes portion of the Trans Canada Highway will be adorned with the flags from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located 100 feet away from the Highway of Heroes sign near the 232 Street exit, the east side of the highway will feature 159 Canadian Flags and the west side will have 60 Commonwealth country flags to honour fallen soldiers and the unknown soldier from all wars Canadians have fought in.
"It's jaw-dropping," said Barry Drew of the 3rd Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Unit.
"You just stand there in awe of the whole thing."
Organized through the 3rd CAV, the idea came from Dave Manson, an affiliate member who has purchased all of the flags himself.
"We're veterans and supporters that ride side by side saluting the sacrifices of past, present and future Canadian Forces, and that's basically what this is all about," Drew said. "It's to remember the fallen."
Many other ceremonies for remembrance are being held throughout Langley on Nov. 11.
In the City, Legion Branch 21 is holding a ceremony at the Douglas Park Cenotaph, 20570 56 Ave. At 10:25 a.m. a parade will start on 206 Street south of 56 Avenue and lead up to the cenotaph for the service at 11 a.m.
In the Township, a ceremony at the Fort Langley cemetery cenotaph, 9045 Glover Rd., will take place. At 10 a.m., a piper-led procession will leave the Fort Langley Community Hall and leave for the cenotaph at 10:20 a.m. Members of Langley's scouting and guiding movement will act as a colour party and will stand as sentries at the cenotaph. The service will begin at 10:40 a.m., and a fly past of vintage aircraft will take place at 11 a.m. The Youth of Fort Langley will lead the singing and will also reprise their own hymn, Souls of the Past. Cole Armour will sing Amazing Grace, Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones. After the service, refreshments will be served at St. George’s Anglican and St. Andrew’s United Churches.
The Aldergrove Legion, 26607 Fraser Hwy, will have a parade procession from the Sal-Mart Thrift Store parking lot at 3111 272 St. up to the Legion. At 10:40 a.m. the service will begin with a fly past by the Fraser Blues. A potluck lunch and entertainment will follow at the Legion.
Later in the afternoon, Langley's newest commemorative structure will be unveiled at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, 21200 Fraser Highway.
At 2 p.m. the dedication ceremony for A Walk to Remember will take place, followed by a final tree planing to remember the 158 Canadian soldiers who have fallen in Afghanistan. This is part of the Langley Youth for the Fallen project, spearheaded by siblings Michael and Elizabeth Pratt. It is the only Afghanistan War memorial of this scale in Canada.