The City of Belleville has enjoyed a Twin City relationship with the city of Lahr, Germany, since 1972.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the closing of the former Canadian Air Force Base at Lahr. In observation of that anniversary, the City of Lahr has invited Mayor Neil Ellis and Councillor Chris Malette, of Belleville’s Cultural Exchange Committee and a Councillor who has participated in several hosting and visit exchanges with Lahr, to attend special ceremonies in November marking the base closure anniversary.
The events will highlight and honour the ongoing strong relationships between Canada and Germany at Lahr, and culminate with a Nov. 11 Remembrance Day Ceremony at the former air station at Lahr.
History on the Belleville-Lahr Friendship:
In 1967, Canadian Forces replaced the French army stationed in Lahr. There developed a trusting, cooperative relationship between the Canadians and the residents of Lahr. As Lahr became the headquarters of the Canadian forces in Europe, there were routine transport flights between Lahr and Trenton, which is only a few kilometres away from Belleville. In 1972, the request from Belleville for an official city partnership led to the start of a sister-city relationship. In 1975, the first students from Lahr flew to Belleville in military planes that had extra capacity, developing the tradition of ‘friendship flights’.
After the withdrawal of Canadian forces from Lahr at the beginning of the 1990s, military planes were no longer an option. Nevertheless, the close friendships that developed have kept the tradition of friendship flights alive, with trips arranged every two years in rotation. The citizens and mayors of Belleville and
Lahr, as well as the city councils and the two twinning committees, are all committed to this partnership.
Around 4,000 people from Lahr have now visited Belleville.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
