Submitted by Gerry Tilmans,
First VP, Public Relations Officer
By now poppies are blooming across Canada, not in the fields but on lapels everywhere. The poppy tradition started in Canada in 1921 and was adopted by the UK, other Commonwealth countries and the U.S as well. The official remembrance period is from the last Friday of October until November 11th.
The first time I saw people placing their poppies on a monument after the Remembrance Day ceremonies finished it surprised me because the wind blew them on the ground, which I thought was disrespectful. I later understood this is a way to honour those who have served.
As I researched poppy history I learned that the fields of Flanders Belgium originally had few poppy plants, but the bombs brought limestone soil to the surface everywhere along the front, which proved to be fertile ground for their seeds to germinate, which led to huge fields filled with poppies, which lead to John McCrae’s world famous poem still taught in schools today.
Come out for Remembrance Day ceremonies at Monument Corner at 9:30 am. At 11:00 am at the Lion’s Head cenotaph, John’s poem will be read by Bruce Peninsula District School students.
Poppy canvassing is a very important part of the year, and funds raised are put towards veteran drop-in centres, help with their medical expenses, housing for homeless veterans and much more. A portion of the funds raised by each branch go to the zone command where they donate to purchase equipment for entities like the Family Health Team. Please support us in any way you can, from donating to the poppy donation box, volunteering and joining the legion.
Join us on Mondays and Thursdays (Except the first Thursday of the month) at 1:00 pm for darts, euchre and bridge. It costs $3 to play. Saturday November 8 we play “darts for meat” where you play for a chance to bring home a prize cut, cost is $4.00.
Legion 202 is located at 6 Hellyer Road, Lion’s Head, just north of Ferndale on Highway 6. Reach us at branch202pro@gmail.com
