Canadians are being asked to start pinning on poppies as a symbol of remembrance, and to support veterans.
The Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign launched Friday, Oct. 28, a few days after the first poppy was presented to Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon by the Legion’s dominion president Bruce Julian at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
“Veterans and our fallen heroes alike will take comfort in our efforts, and those of all Canadians, to remember, and not to fear that their sacrifices will have been in vain,” said Legion grand president Larry Murray, a retired vice-admiral, in a press release.
Money donated locally during the national poppy campaign is distributed locally, to help support veterans and their families, communities, and to promote remembrance, the release added.
For the first time ever, the Legion is distributing new biodegradable poppies and wreaths, crafted from a variety of natural materials including paper, cotton velvet, plaster, moss, and bamboo. The Legion said it will take a few years for existing stock to be depleted, but eventually all poppies will be biodegradable.
Veterans and volunteers are manning donation tables at Nanaimo shopping centres and other locations until Nov. 10. Poppies are available at more than 27,000 donation boxes across the country and digital poppies are also available at www.mypoppy.ca.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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