Preparations for this year's Remembrance Day services are taking shape under the direction of Ponoka Legion Branch #66.
Services will be held in the Stagecoach Saloon starting at 11 a.m. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m. and a light lunch will be served following the service, organizers say.
"At 11 a.m. sharp the service starts, and that is when we have our two minutes of silence," said Wendy Peavoy, chair of the Poppy Campaign.
Her husband Earl Peavoy, as Legion president, is of course the key coordinator of the Remembrance Day service.
Wendy said she will be handing wreaths to any of the organizations that come, and they will then go and place the wreaths on the stand at the front of the hall.
"And so at the end of the service, you will see all of these beautiful wreaths hanging on this stand that we have at the front there," she said. The new legion location isn't quite ready as of yet, so Wendy said organizers are grateful for the space to use on the Stampede grounds.
"It's so important to remember the people who fought for us, and who fought for our freedom," said Wendy, who has also served as president of the Ladies Auxiliary of Alberta.
"We (need) to recognize and to remember those who fought for us. I also think it's really important for young people to understand that as well. And although we aren't in 'war times'. it's still important they understand where this all started," she said regarding the importance of Remembrance Day.
Meanwhile, the Poppy Campaign is of course well underway. Funds raised via the campaign go to virtually anything that local veterans may need, she said.
There have also been other events held over the past while locally in the lead-up to Remembrance Day including a candlelight tribute which was held Oct. 6 at the Ponoka Cemetery. Flags were also put up in Centennial Park on Oct. 19.
Looking ahead, Ponoka Legion members are gearing up for a whole new chapter at their new location in the former library building. There will be a grand opening to celebrate the milestone in the coming months.
