The Royal Canadian Legion in Grande Prairie kicked off its annual tradition of bestowing the first poppies of the season on local officials on October 25th.
The annual poppy drive begins every year on the last Friday of October each year, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 President Dean Langton says it’s a great way to mark the occasion and get residents thinking of remembrance.
“The first poppy traditionally goes to the Governor General, local heads of municipal governments, [and] this gets everyone involved from that level all the way through the population,” he says. “The more awareness there is, the better off the poppy drive becomes.”
Langton explains that all the dollars raised during the drive stay local, supporting veterans, active military, RCMP members, and their families, through a national trust.
“The poppy fund is a national trust so all the money that’s collected through the drive stays local,” he says. “In case they need financial support, we have that at the stroke of a pen and that’s what the poppy fund is about.”
Deputy Mayor of Grande Prairie Mike O’Connor was in attendance on the city’s behalf to accept the first poppy of the year.
“It’s a huge symbol of remembrance for our fallen soldiers, and it’s an important part to recognize the sacrifices they made so we can have freedom,” he says. “If we’re not showing it, we’re not supporting it, and we may forget what they have done for us.”
Langton explains that volunteers at the legion have already begun handing out boxes of poppies to different entities throughout the city and county, and encourages all residents to donate and pick up a poppy ahead of Remembrance Day.
