Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 18 gathered in downtown Wallaceburg on Friday morning, October 30, 2020, to mark the launch of their annual poppy campaign.
“The poppy flag has been raised signaling the beginning of the poppy campaign for 2020,” the Wallaceburg Legion posted on social media.
“The big difference this year is that, due to COVID, there is no ‘in person canvassing so please donate to the poppy boxes in the businesses around town.”
Wallaceburg Legion members also thanked Steve Arnold, Mayor of St. Clair Township, Wallaceburg Coucillors Carmen McGregor and Aaron Hall, and Todd Gurd, who represented Lianne Rood, MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, for attending the flag raising ceremony.
“It’s a different kind of year, we’re doing things different… but we know the people of Lambton County and the people of Chatham-Kent will support the branches the best they can,” said Mike Hindmarsh, president of Branch 18, at the Wallaceburg ceremony.
Members of Royal Canadian Legion branches across Zone A-3 gathered at the Civic Centre in Chatham on Friday morning as well, to mark Veterans’ Week in Canada.
Municipal officials say Veterans Week officially begins November 5.
However, the poppy campaign is already beginning across the community.
All donations are used to fund programs that directly help veterans and their families, Municipal officials say.
Mayor Darrin Canniff noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
He said the work of the Legion in in providing support for veterans and the families of veterans from all branches of the service remains extremely important.
Legion Zone Poppy Chairman Irene Williams said she would like to see everyone in Chatham-Kent recognize the sacrifices of veterans.
There are 10 Legion branches throughout Chatham-Kent.
