With Remembrance Day approaching, volunteers from Royal Canadian Legion branches in Nanaimo are at numerous locations handing out poppies.
Inspired by the 1915 poem In Flanders Fields by Lt.-Col. John McCrae, and used by the Legion since 1921, the poppy symbolizes and memorializes the service and sacrifice of war veterans, the Legion website notes. Poppies are free, but a donation is appreciated and money goes to the Poppy Fund. Money is held in trust by branches and distributed to assist veterans and their families. Cash is accepted as well as electronic payment options. To make an online donation, or for more information, visit www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy-campaign.
In addition to City of Nanaimo's Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, the city will also honour veterans beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5 with the Bastion in downtown Nanaimo being illuminated in red, according to the city website. In addition, Friday, Nov. 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day, honouring First Nations, Métis and Inuit members of the Armed Forces.
