Among the many services and events to remember those who have fought for Canada’s freedom, Remembrance Day is the most recognized and celebrated time of the year that honours those who have fought.
The Ponoka Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has been busy handing out thousands of poppies to businesses and individuals all over town.
The money donated goes into a poppy trust fund that goes back into the community helping with things such as the wheelchair van society and other needs.
Bob Smith, organizer of the poppy campaign, believes that wearing a poppy is important to help reflect on the past wars as well as benefit the town of Ponoka.
“When people get a poppy, then they remember,” said Smith. “It helps and money from the poppy fund is used in the community, so when people get a poppy or donate, they are, in a way, helping themselves. The more money we bring in, the more is used in the community.”
This Remembrance Day, November 11, will mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War which took the lives of over 60,000 young Canadians.
The legion will be helping to celebrate the lives of those we remember by having a parade at 10:15 a.m. from ATCO Gas to the Legion Cenotaph followed by a service at 10:45 at the Legion Auditorium with a potluck lunch afterwards at the Legion.