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It's Legion Week in Ontario

Thanks to COVID-19, this year's poppy campaign and Remembrance Day ceremonies will look slightly different

NEWS RELEASE
BRADFORD LEGION
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Sept. 20-26, 2020 is Legion Week in the Province of Ontario, proclaimed by the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command, which represents 395 Legion branches and their nearly 100,000 members.

Legions have “the responsibility of maintaining the tradition of remembrance of those who paid the supreme sacrifice,” but Remembrance during a pandemic poses some unique challenges.

This year is the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II, a milestone that was supposed to be marked by major celebrations honouring Canada’s veterans, from coast to coast. Thanks to COVID, both the poppy campaign and annual Remembrance ceremonies will be “very different,” noted Bradford Legion President Tammy Paglia.

The annual Remembrance Dinner at the Bradford Legion and the annual Remembrance Parade have both been cancelled. The Wreath-laying and Remembrance ceremony will take place on Nov. 11, at 10:45 a.m. – and will be by invitation only, due to space constraints and newly-reimposed limits on outdoor gatherings.

Among the dignitaries present by special invitation will be local veterans, the MP and MPP for York-Simcoe, and Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer.

Cadets are not permitted to take part in the ceremony, and wreaths will be pre-laid. The simplified service will be broadcast live on the Bradford Legion Facebook page on the 11th.

“It’s a very simplified service to honour our veterans,” said Anne Silvey, Poppy Chair, noting that the annual Poppy campaign will also face challenges.

There will be no volunteers standing in doorways, asking residents to make a donation and take a poppy in Remembrance. Instead, the Legion will place as many Poppy Boxes as possible at participating stores and retail outlets.

“We must consider the health and safety of the general public and the many valuable volunteers that support this effort,” said Paglia, explaining the decision to reduce face-to-face interactions.

“It may not be enough to ensure the Poppy Campaign is successful,” she warned. “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a strain on the resources and psyche of Canadians, which will undoubtedly have a major effect on the 2020 Poppy Campaign.”

The Bradford Legion is hoping to raise the funds needed to provide assistance to veterans and their families, and make positive changes in their lives, by encouraging the community to donate. If submitting a donation, please specify if the funds are for the Poppy Trust Fund, for the support of Veterans, or for the operation of the local Branch and its community work.

“Your support will allow us to honour our Veterans and the sacrifices made, regardless of the pandemic,” said Paglia.

Anyone wishing to sponsor a wreath for the Nov. 11 service, in honour of an organization or family member, is asked to send a $50 cheque to ‘Poppy Fund,’ Branch 521 Royal Canadian Legion, 115 Back St., Bradford ON L3Z 1W8. Sponsors will be recognized during the service, and are invited to watch the live-streaming of the service.

“We’re trying to sort things out as best as we can,” said Silvey. “We at the Royal Canadian Legion will continue to honour, give thanks and gratitude to all veterans, especially during this the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2.”

Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, has issued a letter encouraging Ontarians to support their local branches and veterans.

“While in-person gatherings are necessarily limited for the time being, local Legions are, fortunately, finding new ways to foster civic engagement while not wavering from the vital mission of supporting veterans and military families,” said Dowdeswell.

For more information, see bradfordlegion521.community or Bradford Legion on www.facebook.com/bradford.legion.

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