The first poppy in Quesnel was presented to incoming mayor Ron Paull on Friday, Oct. 28, by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94 to officially launch the Poppy Campaign.
“As a veteran and a legion member this is extremely important to me, and every symbolic, and I’m appreciative of it,” Paull said, noting he briefly served with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Also receiving a poppy at the cenotaph was Jackie Sarginson on behalf of Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes.
The Poppy Campaign is held every year from the last Friday of October to Remembrance Day on November 11, with poppy boxes available at various businesses. Donations collected during this period go towards supporting local veterans and their families.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94 president Doug Carey and service officer Ian Campbell hope residents will remember the sacrifices and achievements of all veterans.
Campbell noted there are getting to be fewer surviving veterans who served in the Second World War and Korean War, with veterans from the Cold War and more recent conflicts outnumbering them.
“Hopefully, people will remember those who have passed in the service of Canada,” Campbell said.
Carey said that the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94 is available to help any veteran, including current or former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP.
“Please remember there are people to this day, and I don’t want to get personal about this, but sitting with us back at lunch was a fellow who was having some PTSD issues, and we’re here to help him as well as anyone,” Carey added.
A traditional Remembrance Day cenotaph service beginning with a parade to the cenotaph will take place in Quesnel on Friday, Nov. 11. Veterans are encouraged to contact the legion to attend a light afternoon lunch.
Read More: New poppy campaign initiatives seek to modernize the tradition of remembrance
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