October 25 marks the start of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 65’s annual poppy campaign in Portage la Prairie. With the season of remembrance upon us, Bob Oldford, Media Liaison for the Legion, encourages locals to wear their poppies with pride and support a campaign that has a profound impact close to home.
Poppies will be distributed at various stores and businesses across Portage. From grocery stores like Sobeys and Panko's to the Legion itself, there are plenty of ways for residents to show their support.
“We hope that people will come out and support the poppy campaign, because the money stays here locally. Just recently, we donated over $16,000 out of the poppy campaign to various community groups, like the Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, all those sorts of things that are also used by veterans within our community.”
The campaign also builds up to key events in November. On November 8, the Legion will host an Indigenous Remembrance Day ceremony led by the Red River Metis Federation. The main Remembrance Day ceremony will take place on November 11 at Stride Place. Oldford encourages people to arrive by 10:30 a.m., as seats fill up quickly, with the ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Oldford also reflected on the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. “During World War I, as the fields were plowed by artillery, poppies began to bloom,” he said. Inspired by John McCrae’s poem, 'In Flanders Fields', a woman in France began making poppies and selling them to support veterans, a tradition that Canada adopted in 1921.
“It has a long history, and we hope you wear your poppy with pride, and remember to thank those that are still serving.”
The poppy is likely familiar from school days. However, schools in Portage now use poppy stickers to ensure the younger children stay safe from pins.
Above all, Oldford emphasized that every dollar donated stays in Portage la Prairie, going directly to support veterans and help local initiatives that support them.