The importance of reminding young people of the sacrifices made by veterans forms an integral part of the focus for the Sooke LegionB次元官网网址檚 annual poppy campaign.
Tom Lott, chair of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 54B次元官网网址檚 poppy campaign, said engaging students in understanding the role veterans played in enabling Canadians to enjoy the freedoms is of paramount importance.
Lott, who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 23 years, has a strong personal connection to Remembrance Day. His father served in the Second World War, and his grandfather fought at Vimy Ridge
B次元官网网址淩emembrance Day is ingrained in our family,B次元官网网址� said Lott, the branchB次元官网网址檚 vice-president.
B次元官网网址淚n todayB次元官网网址檚 world, we have generations that grow up without that personal connection. ItB次元官网网址檚 a good thing that there hasnB次元官网网址檛 been any major world wars, but itB次元官网网址檚 important to remind everyone, especially young people, that the freedom we enjoy is because many people gave up all of their tomorrows so we can have freedom today. We need to give credit where creditB次元官网网址檚 due.B次元官网网址�
Lott said itB次元官网网址檚 fortunate the Sooke Legion has a dedcate group of volunteers eager to step up not only during the annual poppy campaign, which runs from Oct. 27 until Nov. 10, but throughout the year.
Retired teachers Ron and Doris Gulmans and veterans from the community visit schools to explain the significance of Remembrance Day to students of all ages, Lott explained. An annual essay, poetry and poster initiative through the local library for students in elementary, middle and high schools is another way the Legion reaches a younger generation, Lott added. B次元官网网址淧art of the oath for being a Legionnaire means that you will support the poppy campaign.B次元官网网址�
More than 20 volunteers at the Sooke Legion have been busy mailing out envelopes for the Poppy Fund, which raised $25,000 last year.
B次元官网网址淭he town is growing, so we had 400 more mail-outs this year,B次元官网网址� said Lott, a member of the branchB次元官网网址檚 executive since 1993, serving as chair of the poppy campaign for the past eight. B次元官网网址淭he amount we raise goes up about $1,000 a year, on average.B次元官网网址� Another 20 will be involved in selling poppies and collecting donations at Shoppers Drug Mart, Western Foods, Home Hardware, Coast Capital, Village Foods and the Evergreen Mall provincial liquor store.
The money raised is earmarked for a variety of services to assist veterans. Some of those include providing service dogs for people dealing with PTSD, and Cockrell House in Colwood, which assists veterans facing difficulties adapting to civilian life. Funding also provides housing at Broadmead Lodge, a long-term care facility for veterans, medical support and equipment, and educational programs at BCIT.
