Remembrance Day will look a bit different this year; but the Merrickville Legion is still focused on making sure the community has the chance to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The poppy campaign will still be running, and poppies will be available at many of the local businesses, by donation, from October 30 to November 11. Legion member, Rose Lamingman, says that, even if someone can’t afford to make a donation, they are still welcome to take a poppy. “People can leave a donation in the poppy box; but if they don’t have the money, they don’t need to do that. They are totally entitled to wear a poppy, because that shows they are supporting our veterans.”
While there will be no community wreath-laying this year, businesses and individuals can still purchase wreaths that will be pre-laid at the cenotaph by Legion members on November 11. There will be no parade; but members of the Legion will be at the cenotaph for a short, intimate ceremony at 11 am on Wednesday, November 11. The public is welcome to attend, although they are asked to maintain physical distancing and wear a mask. As usual, there will be a wreath at the cenotaph where people can lay their poppies at the end of the ceremony.
This year, the Legion is planning to recognize all the veterans who fought in World War 2, which ended 75 years ago. As of Sunday, November 8, there will be an installation at the Cenotaph which the Legion is calling the Walk of Honour. The installation will be up for the entire week, and Rose says they encourage people to visit the Cenotaph and take a walk through the park to pay respect to WW2 veterans.
“I know we’re making a lot of sacrifices right now; but those men and women who went to war made a whole lot more sacrifices than we will ever make,” she says. “They gave their lives.”
To purchase a wreath in memory of a veteran to be laid at the cenotaph, contact Rose at rlamingman@hotmail.com, or 613-269-4402.
