Photo by Colton McKee

By Hayley Ferguson

Royal Canadian Legion

Annual Remembrance Day poppy campaign underway in Medicine Hat

Oct 29, 2019 | 5:49 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – The final days of October means it is once again time to don the beloved Poppy to honour Canada’s veterans and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country.

“The poppy unites Canadians in support of veterans. Whenever you see a poppy and somewhere is wearing it you know that they are supporting the veterans and all they’ve done to keep us safe over the years,” said Sheila Donner, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Robertson Memorial Branch #17.

While the national poppy campaign was launched last week, Donner says they have been preparing since August.

“It takes a long time to get ready. We do any inventory, find out what we need to order. And then we start figuring out how many volunteers we’re going to need, what locations and businesses they will be,” she said. “So it’s a lot of work but it is certainly for a good cause.”

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Donner’s father, husband, two brothers, and two nephews have all served.

She says that seeing the number of poppies that continue to be worn means the world to her.

“I think it’s become a symbol to all of us of unity. And in the difficult time we live in right now, it’s nice to have something that truly does unite people. And I think the poppy does that,” she continued. “And if you look back in history, most of us have somebody in our ancestry who has either gone overseas or served here in Canada. And I think that’s another way to support their families.”

Lorraine Lozo, a past president of the branch, agreed.

Lozo’s father and three uncles all served.

“One of them was killed loading bombs. It means a lot to me,” she said.

While she says remembering is extremely important, she also wants people to realize they are wearing poppies for those currently serving.

“You know there are still so many that are serving right now that are up and coming,” she continued. “And that’s what the legions do. We go to conventions, we fight with the government to bring in these wonderful laws that they have to live by to help these veterans. And there are so many young people now that are struggling.”

The money that is raised through the poppy campaign in Medicine Hat will stay in the community Donner says.

“We have a very strict criteria. That money is held in trust for the public to be used for veterans and their families who are in need,” she said.

Some of the ways they help are with medical equipment, housing costs, and food vouchers.

The Royal Canadian Legion asks that people wear poppies on the left side- as close to the heart as possible.