Saskatchewan’s first poppies handed out in annual ceremony

The Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign is about to begin, meaning bright red poppies will soon be appearing on coats across the nation.

The annual first poppy ceremony took place at Government House in Regina on Thursday morning, and some special guests were honoured.

I am at the presentation of the First Poppy in Saskatchewan at the Government House. The first poppies have just been presented. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/GMxSDN1FDQ

— Nicole Garn (@garnnic) October 26, 2023

The third poppy was presented to retired Brigadier-General Cliff Walker, a guest speaker at the event. Walker said he was surprised and honoured by the gesture.

“It came as a surprise – a very pleasant surprise. Normally I wear a beaded poppy that was produced by a kokum up in La Ronge, and I wear that probably every year. Now this is another poppy that I will cherish,” he said.

Walker served for 35 years, and said he joined the army during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“In June of 1962 it looked like World War Three was about to break out. There was lineups of four people abreast that came out of the armoury door all the way down to Dewdney Avenue to Athol Street waiting to enlist. I don’t think that you would ever see that again today,” he said.

Walker said his father was a war veteran and recruiting officer at the time. He said his father told him that it was now his turn to serve the country.

“The day before I enlisted he signed all the papers saying I was 18 years old and eligible. The day before I’d joined the army, I’d blown out 15 candles on my birthday cake,” he said.

At just 15 years old, Walker served as a combat engineer. Luckily for him and others who enlisted, the threat of World War Three was averted through diplomacy.

But even though the threat of the war was gone, Walker said he decided to stay in the military and follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I certainly was attracted to that life. My dad was my hero. I wanted to be like my dad. He was a soldier. I wanted to be a soldier. He was a teacher. I wanted to be a teacher. He was a disabled veteran. Unfortunately, I’m a disabled veteran. I didn’t want to do that following him,” he said.

But looking back on his career, Walker said he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I was honoured to have the opportunity to wear the uniform and serve my country,” he said.

Chad Wagner is the provincial executive director of the Royal Canadian Legion. He said the presentation of the first poppy is always an important day for his organization and for the province.

“We remember every day, and when we are put out in the public like this, this is an opportunity for us to engage with everyone in the community to ensure that everyone is remembering and to have an opportunity to wear a poppy to say ‘thank you’ to those who have served our country,” Wagner said.

The poppy campaign kicks off on the last Friday in October, and will run right through Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

The poppy stories campaign is also back for another year, meaning people can scan a code on their poppy which will share a story about a Canadian veteran. Fifty new stories were added this year, and poppies can be scanned online.

Sask. proposes legislation around poppies

The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observation Act was announced by Mirasty in the throne speech Wednesday.

It will allow people to wear a poppy in all Saskatchewan workplaces.

Premier Scott Moe said the government received reports of people not being permitted to wear poppies at work, including some government organizations which Moe wouldn’t name.

Walker said he was unaware of the new proposed legislation, but said he agrees that wearing a poppy should always be allowed.

“I would rather see poppies be worn rather than forbidden to be worn, because the people who served this country made a sacrifice. And to say that ‘I don’t think that those people should be honoured in some way’ by not wearing the poppy would certainly not sit well with me,” he said.

Wagner spoke for the Legion on the newly proposed legislation.

“I guess the big thing about that was just ensuring that there is no restrictions to anyone wearing poppies,” he said.