Canadian Legion masks available for purchase during 2020 poppy campaign (photo courtesy Colton Mckee)

By Chantal Wagner

legion masks available

Changes to annual Remembrance Day ceremony and poppy campaign

Oct 13, 2020 | 3:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – There will be no packed Esplanade or Veterans’ Memorial Park for Remembrance Day services in our city this year.

Adjustments are being made to ceremonies across the country that will still allow Canadians to pay their respects.

The Royal Canadian Legion Robertson Memorial Branch No.17 in Medicine Hat recently received a directive from their Command in Calgary as to what format the legion should follow for ceremonies and poppy campaigns.

Branch No.17 president Sheila Donner says each legion will decide what they’re going to do with the poppy campaign and the Remembrance Ceremony based on Alberta Health protocols and what the COVID-19 spread looks like in their area.

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She adds it’s still very important to have a Remembrance Day ceremony to honour our veterans both past and present.

“We have to keep Remembrance Day alive because the legion exists for our veterans and we’re here to honour them with Remembrance Day every year.”

Based on Alberta health protocols, the local branch has decided on an outdoor ceremony.

Which will be limited to 100 people attending at the cenotaph.

Attendees must wear a mask and be physically distant.

Donner says local dignitaries will be present and guests will have to preregister to attend.

The legion is also working on live-streaming the event from the cenotaph.

Donner says it will be a similar ceremony, but very different with way fewer people present.

“So far we have about 25 people who are working on being there with the flags. There can be no parade, no going up to the cenotaph and laying the wreath, they will all be prepositioned, there will be no escorts.”

The clock at city hall will still chime at 11 AM to begin the ceremony at the cenotaph.

Donner adds on a regular year, the Esplanade is usually packed

“And outside I would say it varies but 4-5 thousand perhaps on a really nice year where there’s no snow and the weather is quite nice.”

Donner says there will still be poppy sales to help raise funds for veterans and their families.

The poppy campaign begins on Friday, October 30.

With the addition of legion masks that will also be sold.

They are $10 each and have a mesh lining.

Robertson Memorial Branch No.17 masks will be available as well and worn by volunteers.

Donner says the legion is looking for volunteers to sit at the poppy campaign tables in the community.

“Some of the merchants have said yes it’s not a problem we can continue to put our poppies in their place of business. We are going to have tables, we have been given permission from Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, and the mall. This year the mall has moved us just outside The Bay area.”

Volunteers are required to wear a mask and there will be hand sanitizer on site.

To volunteer for this year’s poppy campaign call the legion at 403-527-7184.

Donner suggests husband and wife cohorts or close friends donate their time to the poppy campaign.