PILGRIMAGE OF REMEMBRANCE
With assistance from the Royal Canadian Legion, The Legion National Foundation’s Pilgrimage of Remembrance offer Canadians a heartfelt journey to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, exploring sacred battle sites. Pilgrims spend two weeks traversing historic battlefields, solemn trenches, and Normandy beaches, paying homage at cemeteries and museums.
The Pilgrimages date back almost 100 years and hold tremendous significance as a way to learn and to perpetuate Remembrance to those who may not be as fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the sites and experience first-hand the sacrifices made to ensure our freedoms of today. The Pilgrimage of Remembrance is both a physical and emotional experience for all who attend and is guaranteed to be one of the most incredible journeys a comrade will take in their life.
Upon their return, participants are entrusted with the important duty of sharing their profound experiences with fellow Canadians. In doing so, they not only reminisce but also cultivate a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who came before them.
Our Mission
To honor the sacrifices of our Veterans and educate future generations, the Legion National Foundation’s Pilgrimages of Remembrance program provides immersive journeys to historic Canadian battle sites in Europe. We are dedicated to fostering understanding, commemoration, and tribute to those who served our country.
Our Impact
Facilitating Immersive Journeys
We organize immersive Pilgrimages to historic sites in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, providing participants with firsthand experiences of Canada’s military history.
Expert Guided Tours
Through guided tours, memorial services, and visits to battlefields and military cemeteries, we educate participants about the sacrifices of our Veterans and ensure their legacies are Remembered.
Supporting Veterans' Remembrance
By offering these meaningful experiences, we support Veterans in their remembrance efforts and provide opportunities for them to share their stories and experiences with others.
Fostering Understanding
Our Pilgrimages foster understanding and appreciation for the contributions of our Veterans, helping to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Mark your calendars!
The registration for our upcoming Pilgrimage of Remembrance will begin on August 24th. Keep an eye out for more information and feel free to contact us if you have any additional inquiries.
Register for the Pilgrimage of Remembrance 2025
Highlight Tour
We Will Remember Them
We are pleased to announce that in addition to the traditional Pilgrimage of Remembrance, the Legion National Foundation will be launching a We Will Remember Them – Highlight Tour.
This tour will offer a shortened 10-day version of the Pilgrimage, focusing on the key highlights, and will be held in May 2025. Applications for this edition will begin August 2024.
A Visual Tribute to the Pilgrimage of Remembrance
Meet
John Goheen
Historian, Pilgrimage of Remembrance Tour Guide
John Goheen has been fulfilling the role of guide and historian for the Pilgrimage of Remembrance program since 1997. During this time, he has been responsible for introducing numerous Canadians to significant sites associated with Canada’s esteemed military heritage. Initially, the majority of participants were Veterans of the Second World War, who possessed a strong desire to witness the locations where their fathers had fought during the Great War.
Nowadays, individuals from all walks of life and age groups come together as participants with a common goal – to follow in the footsteps of these brave heroes.
In recognition of his dedicated service, John has been honoured with several prestigious awards. These include the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, and the Meritorious Service Medal from The Royal Canadian Legion.
“Our guide’s exceptional knowledge of every location helped paint a very vivid picture of the struggles the Canadian forces were up against, in both wars.”
“Personal aspects of stories were so touching and the lesser-known stops he took the group to were priceless. You don’t get that on other tours!”
“John was superb! I appreciated not only the vast wealth of knowledge that he has, but also the way in which he communicated that knowledge.”