Where and how did Candle in the Wind begin My personal connection with the forces and veterans has been a very special experience, and my heroic reminder has always been Commander Guy Gibson for his huge courage and commitment, a person that was honoured and talked about often during my childhood. I grew up being intrigued by the stories of courage and responsibility shown by this 24-year-old so much that I visited his birthplace Shimla in India, a beautiful resort surrounded in the most amazing mountains and snowy rock formations. Around 2013 I found myself walking from cemetery to cemetery searching for his final resting place, and I finally located it at a cemetery in Steenbergen in the Netherlands, I re-visited the location a few times in a short period, where I dressed the resting places in red roses candles and fresh petals, to pay my personal tribute, for the sacrifice made, by the Commander and his crew, a truly significant and special moment to reminisce over. Deeply touched, it is a moment that I will always remember. At this moment I realised, that I had revealed something to myself that I found so beautiful. So, I made a personal pledge to pay a personal tribute to as many of the fallen as possible on this side of the Channel, by honouring them one to one at each resting place, this is the vision I crafted and collaborated in my mind with inspiration, strength, purpose and passion. This was the moment when the spirit of Candle in the Wind first came alive. And this is the vision that grew stronger in the past 10 years and is a result of where and what I have built all over the continent which I hope to develop forward. I felt I expanded my path into the blue sky’s and I did not hold myself to paths that I saw clearly marked in front of me, and this magical feeling allowed nothing to divert/distract me as I walked forward. During a beautiful but slightly breezy, sunny day, I was at Nederweert war cemetery in the Netherlands lighting a candle at each of the resting places. Come evening, I had lit 363, but the wind was against me, and I found myself lighting some candles twice and even three times, hence the befitting name Candle in the wind. This was the moment when I set myself objectives and challenges and realised that from that moment on, through use of my personal financing and commitment I would develop the project. Since then, I have continued to light candles monthly, at variously chosen military war cemeteries around Germany and the Netherlands. Over the years, hundreds became thousands of candles at British & Commonwealth War Cemeteries in the Netherlands and Germany. The initial intent has remained, however the area covered has developed immensely. I have progressed from memorials, to searching for related resting places throughout both countries. Through these years of keeping the memory of the fallen and our history alive, I have built friendships, with British, Dutch, Belgium and German communities and veterans, many of whom, are delighted to join the bigger Remembrance events. I feel I have developed a community (military and civilians) backed with the strength of friendship amongst our NATO partners. As an experienced organiser, with proven track records of successful commemorations and other similar events, including many events with a multinational Military involvement, I am often described as an ambassador for the British for my attributes to keep the memories of the fallen alive and I am warmly recognized within our international community for my commitment to Candle in the wind. Many Dutch and Belgium organisations invite me regularly as their honoured guest to recite my favourite Poem “In Flanders Field”. I consider some of my achievements to have been: · Nederweert Cemetery – commemorated the post WW2, 75th anniversary (2021) – In attendance - General Stuart Skeates, deputy commander Brunssum. · Remembrance Service – Schwartbroek cemetery Netherlands in 2022 – In attendance - the British Defence Attaché to the Hague Col Piers Strudwick. · Multinational forces invited to Remember the fallen at Becklingen Cemetery (2018) marking the Royal Air Force centenary. · Remembrance at Hannover British military Cemetery (2019). · Remembrance Service held at the Celle War Cemetery (2019) – a hospital cemetery of the 64th British Military Hospital a multinational attendance. · Marking the official launch of Candle in the wind 29th September 2023, Nederweert Netherlands – in attendance – The British Defence Attaché to the Hague Col Piers Strudwick with guests from German, Dutch and British bases. Special Remembrance Service Op CHASTISE held at Möhnesee –– Friday 17th May 2024. This was a multinational gathering with over 200 invited (some well-travelled) honoured guests included: Padre Richard Downes leading the service with the following dignitaries and representatives from: Deputy Mayor Mohnesee (Frau Marion Lepold) & Mayor of Ense Represents from Canadian Embassy Defence Air Attache to Berlin – Gp Capt Mark Heffron NFS Commander Germany – Col Mike Foster-Brown The current Dambusters crew from 617 Sqn, RAF Marham Dutch RAF Contingent German Force Contingent Mohnesee German Force Contingent Duisburg Canadian Force Contingent Brunssum NL The sky was beautiful and gradually the guests began to arrive – to be ready at 1330hrs to march to the 2nd Tower on the Dam where a Service was planned with flags flying, drums beating, and proud standards leading the march followed by 200 invited guests. The procession parade was huge and a true honour for me to lead. The Dam was alive with passion and dressed in an amazing site and moments as we Remembered them. We then marked history, with the following key elements taking place during the ceremony: A 3-way communication link to remember Commander Guy Gibson at his final resting place starting in Steenbergen cemetery in the Netherlands, where the memorial flame was lit. The memorial flame was passed to me virtually at the Dam, and I in turn passed the flame to RAF Scampton – where the 617 Sqn crew flew from 81 years ago. I opened the ceremony with an opening speech and address to welcome those present. The British Air Attaché – added to my message of friendship to the German colleagues and he reinforced the message during his speech. After a beautiful wreath laying ritual, there was the candle lighting at the Dam, which was a moving moment for all. Thereafter the unique petal scattering ritual over the Dam to Reflect on the sacrifice given by all those perished – a moment to remember.