By Times Chronicle Staff
The first poppies ahead of Remembrance Day were pinned on Friday, Oct. 13 in both Oliver and Osoyoos by representatives of the Royal Canadian Legions in both towns. The ceremonial pinning kicks off the poppy fundraising campaign in the lead up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
Oliver held its traditional poppy pinning in front of the cenotaph with a guard of honour from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 – Oliver on hand with elected officials and representatives of first responder organizations.
In Osoyoos two members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 173 were on hand for the reading and signing of the Remembrance Day proclamation by Osoyoos Mayor, Sue McKortoff before the first poppy was pinned.
Estelle Pavan from the Oliver Legion pins a poppy on a representative from BC Corrections.
Don Urquhart photo
Funds donated to the poppy campaign go directly into initiatives that support Canadian veterans and their families.
Canada’s poppy campaign began in 1921 after being adopted by the Great War Veterans’ Association – which later became the Canadian Legion. The inspiration came from John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” and Madame Anna Guérin’s fundraising efforts for French and Belgian war widows.
The campaign funds support for veterans, and originally, disabled veterans hand-sewed the poppies to earn an income.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff signs the Remembrance Day proclamation flanked by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 173 President, Glenda Holden (right) and 1st Vice President, Bruce Davies (left).
Don Urquhart photo
The first poppy is pinned kicking off the poppy campaign for 2025.
Don Urquhart photo
