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Legion commemorating 100th anniversary of Poppy
Between October 10 and 16, the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion is hosting events in 42 communities across B.C. and the Yukon to celebrate Legion Week 2021, including in Cranbrook and Edgewater.
“Legion Week community events build momentum leading up to Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day and honors the duty, service and sacrifice of our veterans,” said Val MacGregor, President of the BC/Yukon Command. “Drop in at your local branch to celebrate and learn more about local Canadian history and the poppy.”
Madame Anna Guérin, later christened “The Poppy Lady from France,” inspired by John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields”, had an idea: to adopt the distribution of the Poppy on Armistice Day as a way to raise money for Veterans’ needs and to remember those who had given their lives during the First World War.
In July of 1921, the Great War Veterans Association (which in 1925 would unify with other Veteran groups to form The Royal Canadian Legion) adopted the Poppy as the flower of Remembrance.
“During Legion Week, our branches celebrate our communities,” said MacGregor. “The 100th Anniversary of the poppy causes us to pause and remember our veterans, and the Canadian values our veterans fought for so our communities could be safe, strong and free.”
Cranbrook will be hosting an open house with free, family-friendly BBQ.
They will be sharing information on how the Royal Canadian Legion supports and honours veterans and their families, including RCMP, and promotes remembrance.
The branch will also have a group of Canadian Army Vets who are traveling across Canada on motorcycles, The Rolling Barrage, to promote awareness of the issue facing veterans and PTSD issues.
Information on volunteer opportunities will be available.
Learn more on their Facebook page.
Edgewater Branch #199 – Oct.16
Edgewater will be hosting an open house with free, family-friendly food and drink.
They will be sharing information on how the Royal Canadian Legion supports and honours veterans and their families, including RCMP, and promotes remembrance.
Information on volunteer opportunities available.
Learn more on their Facebook page.
BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion
