In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row.
"By placing their donations in poppy boxes around the province or by purchasing a wreath, Albertans honour and demonstrate their care for Canada's veterans," said Tammy Wheeler, executive director of The Royal Canadian Legion, Alberta-NWT Command.
The Royal Canadian Legion plays an instrumental part in making the lives of our veterans better. Veterans often return to their everyday lives and are confronted with challenges from their time in the service that training and experience has not equipped them for. This includes employment, housing, income insecurity and social integration as a result of physical and mental health issues.
"In 2018, the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund provided $1.56 million in direct support to Veterans and their families in Alberta," said Wheeler.
The Poppy Campaign is the Royal Canadian Legion's largest fund-raising effort. This is a team initiative which is carried out by local Legion branches in communities across the country.
"A lot of our volunteers are out delivering the poppy boxes and the wreaths today, it will be an ongoing campaign until November 11," said Karen Bruens, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 in Cochrane.
Poppy boxes will be distributed to various establishments throughout town. Bruens says around 400 boxes including the 100 anti-theft boxes created by Dan Kroffat won't be hard to miss.
"We do Cochrane and area, we do Springbank area and this year we were also asked by Kananaskis because a hotel has asked if they can do a Remembrance Day service, so we have taken a few supplies out there," explains Bruens. "Cadets will be out on the street corners and stores on the weekends starting tomorrow (Oct. 26)."
Earlier today, Bruens presented a poppy to Mayor Jeff Genung. This was the first time a member of the community was presented with a poppy. Usually it is the Lieutenant Governor getting his or her poppy and that initiates the campaign. Cochrane's Mayor expressed the sentiment with gratitude.
"I'm honoured to be first, thank you, I appreciate the ceremony," said Genung. "Remembrance day for me is the hardest thing to speak at. I try to bring some message from the community that is meaningful and every year I struggle how can I be meaningful in such a space. It's very humbling, it's the hardest speech I give."
A poppy should be worn on the left side over the heart during the Remembrance period which is the last Friday in October until November 11.
As in previous years the Remembrance Day celebration will commence at Cochrane High School at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 11 and conclude at the cenotaph park.
