Legion members explain the importance of Poppy donations

By Craig Westcott

Two senior hands from Branch 50 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Kelligrews visited the CBS Town Hall November 5 to thank council and the public for their support during this most recent Poppy campaign in aid of Canada’s veterans. 

First vice president Moe Keeping and the chairman of the local Poppy Campaign, Ralph Parmiter, highlighted the many uses to which funds from the Poppy sales are put. Their visit coincided with the Proclamation of the Town’s support for the Legion and the Poppy campaign. Mayor Darrin Bent encouraged citizens to donate when they see an opportunity at one of the Poppy cans on display at commercial and other establishments.

“With every donation you make to the Poppy program, it takes the pressure off a lot of the veterans,” said Keeping, who served several stints overseas in conflict zones. 

Keeping said many veterans are dealing with post traumatic stress disorder, while others and their families face financial problems, difficulties finding housing, and other issues.

“The donations that go into the Poppy can stay with the Legion in the area,” added Mayor Bent. “And you’re able to use them to help local veterans here.”

Besides visiting council, the Legion members spent a lot of time visiting schools in the lead up to Remembrance Day on November 11. Keeping himself had visited three schools on the day of his visit to the Town Hall. Keeping said it puts a smile on your face to see the reactions of students to the Legion members’ talks.

“A lot of people don’t realize how a little smile from a kid brightens your day,” he said. “That’s half the reason why I love going to schools. I couldn’t do it before, because I suffer from PTSD, and going to schools and things like that took a really bad toll on me.”

Keeping thanked his fellow Legion members and other volunteers for all the work they put into the Poppy campaign, including the behind the scenes work of preparing, distributing and collecting the cans.

“It doesn’t happen by magic,” Mayor Bent agreed. “There are people on the ground doing those things… I just want to reiterate to people that donating to the Poppy program helps the veterans and supports the people who have given so much to help us and to protect us. And I want to also thank you for all your work getting veterans into our schools so young people can hear firsthand about your experiences so they have a better understanding of it that they can pass along and it will continue for all of us, lest we forget.”