First poppy of 2016 presented to Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor

Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield has received the first poppy of 2016.

In a symbolic gesture every year, the first poppy is pinned to the lapel of the person holding the office as a way to begin remembrance season.

“One of the things we have to remember when we’re driving by a hockey rink or a basketball court and we see our children playing, they are able to do that because of the freedom they were given because of our veterans,” explained Chad Wagner, executive director of Legion, Saskatchewan Command.

Any time you buy a poppy this year it goes towards programs for veterans.

“We’ve got a multiple number of programs out there from our homeless vets program to our pause for veterans programs, various transitional, you know help them get back in to the community. We stand for veterans, remembrance and community,” Wagner added.

Poppies go on sale to the general public on Friday.