At 1 p.m. tomorrow, Lt.-Gov. Anita R. Neville will be presented with the first poppy of this year’s annual Royal Canadian Legion fundraiser at Government House, 10 Kennedy St. by Comrade Ernie Tester, president, Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command.
“Wearing the poppy demonstrates our understanding of Canada’s national debt of gratitude owed to all veterans,” said Neville. “It will be my absolute honour to accept and wear the campaign’s first poppy and I invite all Manitobans to join me in honouring the sacrifices so many have made for our freedom.”
The presentation to the lieutenant-governor will set the stage in Manitoba for the poppy campaign to get underway officially the following day. The legion’s poppy campaign always begins on the last Friday of October and the poppy blossoms on the lapels and collars of more than 19 million Canadians.
The poppy is distributed by the legion’s branches and the monies collected go into branch poppy trust funds. These funds can only be used under strict guidelines set up by the Poppy and Remembrance Committee of Dominion Command to improve life for people in the communities where the money is raised.
The poppies are intended to honour the more than 117,000 Canadians who have died in the service of their country throughout the world.
Since 1921, the poppy has stood as the symbol of remembrance, a visual pledge to never forget those Canadians who have fallen in war and military support operations. The poppy also stands internationally as a ‘symbol of collective reminiscence,’ as other countries have also adopted its image to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
For more information, contact:
Kate Gameiro, 204-945-2752
