Lord Elgin Branch 41 of the Royal Canadian Legion kicked off their annual poppy campaign on Thursday by pinning a poppy on outgoing Mayor Joe Preston. The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Garden in St. Thomas was held under ideal fall weather conditions.
Val Clark with Branch 41 explained the significance.
She added that the poppy boxes are now in businesses and schools throughout the city.
And this coming Saturday (Nov. 7) is Poppy Day.
The Great War Veterans’ Association of Canada — precursor to the Royal Canadian Legion — adopted the poppy symbol in 1921 and the flower has been worn in the weeks leading up to the annual Remembrance Day ceremony ever since.
Clark assured that all money raised remains in St. Thomas and Elgin county and is earmarked for veterans and their families.
This marks 100 years of Royal Canadian Legion service to Canada and is also the 100th anniversary of Lord Elgin Branch 41.
Clark reminded everyone that the St. Thomas Service of Remembrance is Nov. 11 and added, “If the weather is bad and you feel uncomfortable, think about what our soldiers did in those 100 years and what they went through. An hour of our time in inclement weather is nothing compared to what they went through.”
Written by Ian McCallum
