by Stephen Dafoe and Morinville Online
Poppy sales are well underway in the area ahead of Remembrance Day on Friday, Nov. 11. The Royal Canadian Legion Morinville Branch No. 176 kicked off its Poppy Campaign on Friday, Oct. 29 by presenting local dignitaries with the first poppies.
Morinville Deputy Mayor Ray White, Legal Mayor Trina Jones, and Morinvlle-St. Albert MLA Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction received poppies from Legion xxecutive and committee members.
1st Vice President Mike Adams presented Deputy Mayor Ray White with his poppy, while, Executive and Service Officer Lisa Adams presented MLA Dale Nally with his. Committee member Steve But presented Legal Mayor Trina Jones with hers. Also in attendance were Poppy Chair Carol Gabriel and Sgt-at-Arms Mark Pasqualetto.
First Vice President Mike Adams said once the dignitaries had received their poppy as representatives of the community, the Legion could move on with its poppy sales.
“The branch can now move forward with selling their poppies and the act of remembrance,” Adams said. “People are more than welcome to purchase a poppy. They can wear it for as long as they want, whatever day they want, in their own act of remembrance.
“If someone feels so inclined, they can wear their poppy at any given time. It’s not just for November to remember the troops. I know some Silver Cross mothers who wear it year round to remember their fallen child, husband, daughter. They can wear that poppy any time they want.”
The Annual Poppy Campaign raises thousands of dollars to provide support and assistance to veterans and their families.
There are a couple of additions to poppy campaigns this year. Some trays now have a tap option for your donation, and a new website offers stories of veterans.
The website poppystories.ca allows you to scan your poppy by lining it up in a cut out to reveal a story on a veteran. Site visitors can also view other veterans’ stories without scanning their poppy.
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