Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign kicks off in Saskatchewan

The Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign officially began Friday, meaning bright red flowers soon will start appearing on jackets all over Saskatchewan.

“The poppy is the symbol of remembrance. It remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our service and our freedoms,” said Chad Wagner, the executive director of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Saskatchewan Command.

“It’s important that we show those who are still serving that we do care and are caring. The poppy is an integral part of remembrance.”

Donations from the sales of poppies will go toward programs for veterans. Approximately 22 million poppies will be distributed this season across Canada, with half a million of those in Saskatchewan.

This year, the Royal Canadian Legion created a poppy-scanning website where people can learn about veterans. The scanner and veterans’ stories can be found at www.poppystories.ca.

The poppies are free, but people can donate when they buy them. Wagner said there will be more than enough poppies to go around for anyone who wants them.

On Thursday, Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty was presented with the first poppy of the campaign by Carol Petersen, the president of the Legion’s Saskatchewan Command.

Mirasty in turn presented a poppy to Brad Hrycyna, a retired army major and president of the Royal United Services Institute, in celebration of his years of volunteering.

Wagner said both Mirasty and Hrycyna take those positions seriously.

“(Mirasty and his wife) are such humble people, but when it comes to receiving the honours of the first and second poppy, they are always very happy to be a part of the campaign,” Wagner said.

“They do believe in veterans issues and perpetuating remembrance and ensure that veterans get the help they need when it comes to their injuries, whether that be mental or physical.”