Cadets seek support for Legion Poppy Campaign

BONNIE Herrett, first vice president with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 (right) places the first 2009 poppy in Williams Lake on Mayor Kerry Cook. All proceeds from the poppy sales go to support veterans in the community, as well as to bursaries that are based on need. On average, the Legion raises about $15,000 a year through its poppy campaign. Erin Hitchcock photo

Young Cadets will be out in force again this weekend selling bright red lapel poppies, Canada’s national symbol of remembrance.

The tiny red floral symbol, trademarked by Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion in Canada is distributed through Legion branches to raise funds in support of veterans across the nation.

“Our 1,500 branches and their volunteers will be out distributing the poppy and collecting donations until 10 November,” says the Wilf Edmond, Dominion president of the Royal Canadian Legion in Donkin, Nova Scotia.

“We want all Canadians to wear one of these symbols in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country, and others, free from tyranny and oppression.”

The poppy has been in use as a symbol of Remembrance in Canada since 1921, when it was first used by the Great War Veterans Association. the Legion, which now incorporates the GWVA, has carried on that tradition of distribution to help needy veterans and their families.

People who wear the poppy show that they care, like the Legion, about the sacrifices of 117,000 Canadians who have died in the military service of Canada since it became a nation.

City council has declared Nov. 4-11 Veterans’ Week in recognition that many residents of the community served the cause of peace and freedom during the First and Second World Wars, in Korea, and with peacekeeping forces around the world. The week will culminate on Nov. 11 with the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The Remembrance Day ceremonies begin at the Gibraltar Room Nov. 11 starting with a ceremony at 10 a.m.

The Remembrance Day Parade leaves the Gibraltar Room’s south entrance at 10:40 a.m. and proceeds down Seventh Avenue; turns right on Borland Street and continues to the Cenotaph at City Hall for the traditional laying of wreaths and ceremonies of remembrance.

The parade will leave the cenotaph at approximately 11:30 a.m. proceeding down Mart Street to Oliver Street; turning left onto Third Avenue; and left again at Barnard Street and continuing to the Legion hall where lunch and refreshments will be available for adults upstairs and youth downstairs.

People can participate in the whole parade or join the ceremonies at any point along the route.

In September the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 in Williams Lake celebrated its 75th anniversary. The annual Poppy Campaign in Williams Lake last November brought in approximately $18,000. In 2008 the Legion Branch 139 also donated approximately $20,000 to support various other causes within the community.

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