Caption (Left to Right): Councillor Chris Malette, Mayor of Lahr Markus Ibert, Defence Attaché of Canada Colonel James Marshall and Mayor Neil Ellis. (Photo: City of Lahr / Endrik Baublies)
Mayor Neil Ellis and Councillor Malette returned home to Belleville yesterday after a short visit to Lahr, Germany. The City of Belleville has enjoyed a twin-city relationship with Lahr for over 50 years.
Mayor Ellis and Councillor Malette were invited by Lahr mayor, Markus Ibert, to recognize the 30thanniversary of the departure of Canadian troops and their families from Lahr after the Canadian Air Force base closed in 1994.They participated in various ceremonies to recognize this anniversary and the contribution of Canadian troops to the post-war stability of the Black Forest region of Germany. They then took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies where they laid wreaths and poppies at the Canadian military cemetery in Lahr.
During their stay, they also attended the closing ceremonies of the 25thannual Chrysanthemum Festival, an annual event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Black Forest city each year. They returned home on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Mayor Ibert and Mayor Ellis spoke about and began plans for a delegation from Lahr to visit Belleville in the summer of 2025.
“Our bond with our friends in Lahr has never been stronger and it was an incredible honour for myself and Councillor Malette to be invited by Mayor Ibert and their council to join in these various ceremonies and celebrations over the past few days,” said Mayor Ellis,. “We look forward to seeing them again in the near future as we continue to strengthen our twin-city relationship.”
Source: https://www.belleville.ca/en/news/mayor-neil-ellis-and-councillor-chris-malette-return-from-lahr-germany.aspx
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