The annual Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign will see poppies arriving at local businesses starting this week
“We’ll be distributing the poppy trays out on the 24th and 25th, but you’re not allowed to wear a poppy until the 25th,” explained Sue Knox, poppy chair.
“We’ll also be distributing poppies on the 26th, which is our Poppy Day, and we’ll have different teams around the city and at various larger locations in the area. They will be selling poppies for a donation.”
She said teams will be distributing the poppies from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Poppies are meant to be worn on your left lapel, close to your heart. Knox added that they sell black poppy centre pins at the Legion for those prone to losing them.
Money raised through the campaign is used to help veterans, with the majority of funds staying in Moose Jaw and the surrounding area. “We help support veterans who are in need of food or shelter, if they’re having difficulties all of a sudden trying to pay some bills, or are having problems with clothing items and purchases,” explained Knox.
Knox said they also provide bursaries to support children or grandchildren of veterans attending university, and support veterans abroad. “A little bit of our funding goes into a provincial pot as per all of the other Legions, and then goes to Dominion Command and supports our veterans in the Carribean who don’t have the same capabilities or large population group that we have here in Canada.”
On Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, a memorial service will be conducted at the Moose Jaw Events Centre conducted by Padre Doug Shepherd, with attendees asked to be seated by 10:30 a.m.
“There will be the two-minute silence at 11 a.m., and then following the service, we will be marching from the west side of the arena – weather permitting – to the Legion, and there’ll be a small luncheon held there as well,” explained Bob Travale, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 in Moose Jaw.
People are welcome to lay their poppies on the cenotaph in the Moose Jaw Events Centre following the service, at the Legion during the social hour following the service, or at the cenotaph in Crescent Park.
“Once Remembrance Day is over, the rightful thing to do is not wear a poppy after that point in time,” added Knox.
Anyone who would like more information on poppies, or who would like to purchase a wreath for laying at the Remembrance Day service, can contact the Legion office at 306-692-5453 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or can contact Sue Knox directly at 306-684-5593.