Poppy campaign kicks off
By Lethbridge Herald on October 25, 2024.
Glenn Miller, co-chair of communications, met with reporters to announce the launch of the 2024 Poppy Campaign Thursday at The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart No. 4.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-GuzmanAlejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com
The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart No. 4 launched the 2024 Poppy Campaign Thursday in advance of the delivery of boxes to local businesses on Friday and tag day on Saturday when youth groups and cadets will be distributing poppies to the public.
Glenn Miller, co-chair of communications, told media on Thursday that people do not need to wait until Remembrance Day, or even the beginning of November, to wear a poppy.
“Tomorrow people can start picking up the poppies and wearing them and I encourage the public to wear one from the time you see a poppy right up through to Remembrance Day, not just on Remembrance Day,” said Miller.
He said that as a veteran, that is one thing they see as a visible sign of an act of Remembrance from the public, that they are stopping to think about veterans and those who actually paid with their lives, and that’s why we wear a poppy today.
“In the poppy boxes there’s also electronic ways to make donation. Poppies are always free, but donations are gratefully accepted. You can tap the box and do a QR code text to donate and we have an electronic tap box. It’s the third year now we’ve had it in various locations.”
Miller explained that they work just like tapping it at a till – you can make a variety of different denominational donations.
“The Legion also has poppy keepers, the centre black parts, for people who might find them dangerous with a pin. We sold out last year, so we are limiting them to 10 each visit when you come to get some,” said Miller.
He said they also have stickers for children or adults who preferred them over the pins.
“The Remembrance Day poppy will start on Saturday in the morning and that’s traditionally when the public will see youth groups, Cadets, Girl Guides, Scouts, 4-H Clubs. They will be also part of Tag Day, which is allowing the public to get a poppy,” said Miller.
He said historically on Tag Day, he would stand outside of a big store and out of a 100 people, sadly fewer than 10 per cent would take a poppy.
“So I would challenge the public to stop, pick up a poppy and wear it with pride and show all the visibility of why we’re wearing a poppy,” said Miller.
When talking about how funds raised through the Poppy Campaign are used, Miller said they are used to benefit veterans and help them in any way the Legion can. He explained that veterans do not need to be members of the Legion to get help when applying to Veterans Affairs Canada and that is where some of that money goes towards.
“We have a veterans service officer just vote in every branch and they’re all volunteers. We have commands, service officers who are paid employees that help veterans. And you don’t have to be a Legion member as a veteran to get help when making an application for Veterans Affairs Canada. And that’s where some of that money goes towards.
“We also help veterans in times of need. If they’re struggling and let’s say their furnaces breaks down, some of that money can go towards a replacement furnace, on an emergency basis, all of that is done through diligence,” said Miller.
He said they also give to long-term care facilities as there are a number of veterans at them and they always want to help make a veteran’s life better, whenever possible.
Miller said everyone in the community has a part to play when it comes to honouring and helping veterans, not only by remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but those who are still living and may need some help.
He added that schools also play an important role in the Poppy Campaign as they have a poster and literary contest each year, which has produced national winners.
“At the base of the Cenotaph, there’s a poem called “I Am the Cenotaph by Blair McCarron” and we’ve also had from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute a student who won the senior contest for colour and that person was actually colour-blind,” said Miller.
He said the student was offered a trip to go to Ottawa as part of the youth delegation and laid a wreath.
“We also are partnering with the Lethbridge Herald and the Hurricanes on Nov. 6 for Military appreciation night, as it’s important to be able to show and appreciate the military contributions past and present,” said Miller.
He added that this year is also the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the 429 Squadron historically has flown from Trenton, Ont. to fly over the Cenotaph whenever operations allow it.
“This year they are scheduled to do a flypast with the new commanding officer and the new squadron to see the city of Lethbridge,” said Miller.
He said he had an opportunity to visit with them in Trenton and told them about their monument just outside of City Hall here in Lethbridge and they are looking forward to seeing it.
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Kick off ! “Tomorrow people can start picking up the poppies and wearing them and I encourage the public to wear one from the time you see a poppy right up through to Remembrance Day, not just on Remembrance Day,”~
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