Community continues to support military veterans

By Al Beeber on October 29, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The annual Legion poppy campaign kicks off today with business boxes going out in the city and surrounding areas including Raymond, Stirling, Magrath and Coaldale. The campaign runs until Nov. 11 with the General Stewart Branch #4 in Lethbridge hoping to raise $90,000 to assist veterans and their families.
While the poppies are free, residents can support the Legion by making donations. New this year are QR codes on the boxes which will allow people to donate electronically. A second QR code on the boxes will take people to a video explaining the poppy program.
2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy being adopted as a symbol by Canada and other countries, General Stewart Branch’s co-chair of the public relations committee told media at the Legion on Thursday.
On hand Thursday were members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes who were given a presentation in honour of the WHL team’s support for veterans and the military. A representative from the Lethbridge Police Association made a donation to the Legion as did a rep from Lethbridge School District 51.
“Today is the launch, the kick-off for the poppy campaign and it will start tomorrow when citizens will be able to see the business boxes throughout the community,” said Miller Thursday.
“It was in 1921 on July 6 here in Canada, we first adopted the poppies. And those poppies were made by veterans themselves as a means to help fund veterans and their families,” Miller said.
Donations can also be made at the Lethbridge Legion website, Miller added.
Communities have supported veterans since the Boer War, said Miller, adding the community has raised the colours, called to action, and has also been in step with the veterans at the time.
“The Lethbridge Hurricanes have a long standing tradition supporting the military, the Legion, Army Navy Air Force Club and the militia units here in town. A few years ago, we initiated on Fridays closest to Remembrance Day, Military Appreciation Night,” Miller said, before the presentation to club members. This year’s Military Appreciation Night will be staged on Nov. 5, he said.
Miller urged Lethbridge residents to wear a poppy in honour of veterans.

Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter

Comments are closed.