Legion celebrating 100th anniversary of poppy symbol, fundraising campaign begins

“It is exciting for us to be out distributing poppies and making sure everyone gets to demonstrate their acknowledgement of the sacrifices of those who went before them and paying respects that this is the 100th anniversary as well,” Graham said.

A mural was painted on the back wall of the legion building over the summer to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poppy. Saskatchewan Drive in Melfort was named Veterans Way and the Veteran banner program also rolled out in the past month.

Funds from poppy sales go to supporting various programs for veterans.

“None of it is used to pay utility bills or anything. Lots of it goes to health-care-related initiatives in the community,” Graham said.

Members of the local legion also canvas businesses to purchase wreaths that get displayed in their windows, individuals, families and organizations also have the opportunity to represent a wreath and lay it at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, wreaths can still be purchased but they will be laid for them by a member of the legion during the ceremony.

A small portion of the poppy funds brought in locally gets sent to Ottawa to dominion headquarters for provincial and national programs.

“There is a program called ‘Soldiers off the Street’ where the legion has a team of people identifying veterans who have left the military, are troubled and facing challenges,” Graham said. “They work to get them housing and get them back to a state where they can become productive citizens again if they are having trouble.”

Paws for Veterans is another program that the Melfort Legion supports that helps to provide service dogs for veterans facing emotional challenges.

“We all think about Korean War, Second World War and First World War but we have lots of current veterans who passed through Afghanistan in the past 15 years as well,” Graham said. “We have to be vigilant in caring for them as well.”

Members of the legion are planning to visit schools ahead of Remembrance Day to give talks and attend the school ceremonies

There are also annual competitions in the schools in Melfort, as well as Gronlid, for students who write essays, poems, or create a poster. There is a also a provincial and national competition that they have the opportunity to move onto.

“We uncover this local talent that we didn’t realize we had, we have had a few young people who have done extremely well at the national level, so it is kind of heartening,” Graham said.

Historically in Melfort, a large Remembrance Day ceremony is held at Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate but that was unable to go ahead in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A small ceremony with Legion members was held in the legion instead and was broadcast virtually.

Over 3,000 people tuned into the Facebook recording last year.

This year will look similar to last year but with a few more people being allowed in the Legion for the service but there will be restrictions in place such as mandatory masks and double vaccinations.

At 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 11, a short ceremony will take place at the cenotaph in Memorial Garden on Main Street to lay a few wreaths.

“Anyone that is interested in coming to the Memorial Gardens part or to see if there is room at the legion, they can contact me,” Graham said.

There will only be between 40 to 50 people allowed in the Legion for the service.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

Legion celebrating 100th anniversary of poppy symbol, fundraising campaign begins

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