100 Mile Royal Canadian Legion Branch 260 members are busy with their poppy campaign, visiting school children and preparing for the Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11.

Bev Torrance, vice-president of the local branch, says Legion members were offering poppies to the public on Friday and they were joined by the local cadets on Saturday.

Poppy sales are important for a couple of reasons. It is a fundraiser for the Legion, and it’s also a reminder to the public to honour the men and women who paid the ultimate price so western society could live free of tyranny.

Torrance says the money raised through poppy sales is public money held in trust by the Legion. It’s used to support veterans, cadets and senior homes that house veterans, with the purchase of equipment or other necessities to make their lives more comfortable.

Unlike several other Legions throughout the province, the 100 Mile branch is doing very well in terms of membership as it has been holding steady at around 400 members. This branch received its charter in 1959 and had its 50-year celebration this past summer.

The 100 Mile Legion is also a great community supporter and each spring and fall donates $5,000 to various community groups. The donations, which total $10,000 annually, are the result of the gaming revenue Legion members’ work hard to raise throughout the year.

Torrance says Legion members will be visiting local schools on Nov. 6 and Torrance says students will learn what Remembrance Day is about and be reminded about those who served during wartime so all Canadians could have the peace and prosperity they enjoy today.

All of this effort culminates in

the Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11.

The day starts with a parade at 10:35 a.m., with participants mustering at the Coach House Square Mall (by the A&W), marching east on First Street and then south on Birch Avenue to the community hall and the Cenotaph.

“We try to get everyone in the hall and organized by 11:55 because we sing O Canada, the

bugler plays the

Last Post and we have the two-minute silence at 11 o’clock sharp,” Torrance explains.

Following the ceremonies in the hall, participants will gather for the laying of the wreaths at

the Cenotaph. Torrance says local dignitaries, or their representatives, will participate as will RCMP officers who will be dressed in their red serge.

Immediately following the service, hotdogs, donated by Save-On-Foods, and hot chocolate, donated by Tim Hortons, will be available for the youngsters,

and starting at noon until closing, there will be an open house at the Legion for anyone 19 years and older.