2013 Poppy Drive for Remembrance

 

“Lest we forget!”

Every year from the last Friday in October until November 11, Remembrance Day, all Royal Canadian Legions conduct the Poppy Campaign, one of the most important campaigns in the Legion year. 

On Sunday, November 3, the 1st Iroquois Scouts joined members of Branch # 370 in canvassing the community of Iroquois in support of the annual Poppy drive.

For over three centuries, Canada has relied on her sons and daughters to answer the call when Canada has had to face the horror and tragedy of war. 

The poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance since 1921. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the red flower was associated with the graves of soldiers. Colonel John McCrae’s famous 1915 poem, written in the trenches of World War I, however, brought national attention to the poppy. The Great War Veterans Association officially adopted the poppy as the flower of Remembrance in July, 1921.

“We ask our fellow citizens, during this campaign to donate money to support the services we provide at the Legion, and to clearly show their recognition of the debt owned to those Canadians who gave their lives for our freedom,” said Darlene Riddell of the Iroquois Legion. “The money raised is put into a public trust fund and used to support ex-service personnel and their families, but also to support community needs and services.”

The Scouts are proud to join with the Legion in the Poppy Drive, according to cub leader, Nancy Richer.

“The Legion has supported us for many years. Helping them canvas is just a small way of saying thank you to them for all they have done for us,” she said.

The Scouts were presented with a certificate of appreciation by poppy chair, Beverly Poore, who recently retired following a career with the Canadian army. The Scouts also received a cheque from president Ralph Martin, which will help the Cubs and Scouts continue to run their programs and camps.

“We rely on the youth of our community to come forward and lend a helping hand,” Riddell said. 

The Iroquois Legion will be holding its Remembrance Day services at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, at the Legion, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph.

The community is invited to attend the ceremony,  to once again show that “we do not forget.” 

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