The Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign is underway. Millions will wear the symbol on the left lapel as a way to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms Canadians experience today. “It’s just to keep the remembrance alive,” explains Joanne Geddes, the second vice president of Nova Scotia/Nunavut command of the Royal Canadian Legion. “For people to understand and reflect on the sacrifices and also those who are still serving and have served… we owe them a great deal of gratitude,” she says. The poppy is distributed freely for all who wish to wear one, but the Legion accepts donations to the Poppy Fund to support veterans and their families. “It goes to financial aid assistance, transitions programs, which have really gotten underway in the last few years,” Geddes explains. There’s also supports for wellbeing and accessibility upgrades around the home. “The public has been extremely generous,” she adds. Poppies can be worn until Nov. 11, when some remove their poppy to place them on a cenotaph or wreath as a sign of respect. Local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion have also been donating what they can in the wake of the CFB Wainwright fire in Alberta, which killed four military members and injured dozens more. “We’re deeply saddened and heartbroken over what’s happened. It shows that anyone who dons a uniform can be in harm’s way at any time. We are assisting with funds,” Geddes says. “That’s important because those families and the military personnel are going to need a lot of help. It’s a long recovery, it could take years and some may never be the same.” Information on where to get poppies or where Remembrance Day ceremonies are being held can be found on the Legion’s website. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
