GORE BAY—The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 514 is introducing the ‘Gore Bay Community Poppy Walk’ to coincide with this year’s Remembrance Day celebrations.

“Our idea is to unite the relationship between the Legion and the community through the poppy fund and Remembrance Day  and provide a bit of education as well,” said Mary-Lea Buchan, a member of the Legion poppy committee. “Alisa Priddle, our poppy chair, and our committee have been looking at this and of doing this.”

Comrade Buchan explained, “there are no longer any World War I or World War II veterans within our Legion branch, but there are a lot of local people who have connections to those veterans who have served, or are serving our country.”

Comrade Buchan noted she and Comrade Priddle had attended a recent RCL zone meeting to get more information on and to find out if there is anything new in regards to the Legion poppy fund campaign. “One thing we did learn at the meeting is that people are supposed to remove their Remembrance Day poppies as of  midnight on November 11.”

“So we thought about the wreath that is based at our branch Legion cenotaph and used during Remembrance Day ceremonies,” said Comrade Buchan. “I thought it would be neat if, for instance, people who are out for a walk that evening visit the cenotaph and place their poppies on the wreath at the Legion cenotaph. In that way they can make a connection to all veterans and to Remembrance Day, especially if they were unable to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony held earlier in the day.”

“School children learn about Remembrance Day in school but we thought this community poppy walk would also be a great way for families to connect as well,” continued Comrade Buchan. “It would give children the opportunity to ask parents questions and find out about relatives who have served or are serving our country currently. This can become an annual event for families, and kids to learn about what the cenotaph and Remembrance Day is all about. It is a way of showing respect for those that serve our country and Legion in our communities.”

Comrade Buchan said that she will be constructing a special wreath designed for the community poppy walk, with a card providing information from the Legion. “The wreath will be on a black canvas and people can attach their poppy to the wreath.”

The banner on the wreath will read ‘Gore Bay Community Poppy Walk,’ said Comrade Buchan. “We will put up the wreath following this year’s regular Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph.”