Saugeen Shores and the Belgian municipality of Zonnebeke will take another step in strengthening their international relationship with a formal Sister City signing ceremony on Monday, November 9.
The two communities established their partnership earlier this year, recognizing their historical connection through the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.
John Willetts, a former Southampton Legion president who helped spearhead the initiative, says Mayor Luke Charbonneau and representatives from the local Legion are expected to attend the ceremony in Belgium.
"This is the formal signing," Willetts said, adding that the event will include an exchange of flags and further discussions about opportunities for collaboration.
While the relationship was originally inspired by Canada's sacrifices during the First World War, Willetts hopes it will eventually lead to educational, cultural, and economic partnerships.
"I think there's going to be some cross-pollination in terms of tours and opportunities," he said.
One initiative being considered would see the communities exchange tourism displays highlighting their respective attractions and history.
Willetts also envisions schools and museums working together on projects connecting Canadian soldiers buried in Belgium with their families and hometowns.
He believes the partnership carries additional significance as Canada looks to strengthen its relationships with European allies.
"This relationship was forged in battle and shared sacrifice," Willetts said.
He hopes the connection will continue to grow beyond the individuals responsible for establishing it, allowing future generations to develop their own partnerships.
Willetts says preserving the memory of those who served is particularly important as the Battle of Passchendaele approaches its 110th anniversary.
He points to the thousands of Commonwealth soldiers buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium as a reminder of the human cost of the war.
"And each one of them had a mother and a father and a family and friends," he said.
The formal signing comes ahead of Remembrance Day, with both communities looking to build on a relationship that began more than a century ago.
