Once again, we’ve had a successful Poppy Campaign, thanks to donations from businesses and individuals and to those who took part in tagging. Our appreciation goes out to the businesses who accepted poppy boxes or decorated their store windows for remembrance, and to Maple Court for the beautiful field of poppies (and also for the great cookies!).
We are very grateful for dedicated members like Mary Mullen for her assistance with all things poppy, including supplies, wreaths, donations, and the Poppy Fund accounting. Tim Mancell not only packed and delivered poppy boxes but also was our MC at our Remembrance Dinner. Dennis Taylor once again was MC at the Remembrance Day service in Walkerton, and Pete Liesemer organized the wreaths and the Remembrance service in Mildmay.
To Clarence (Butch) Kieffer, thank you for being the guest speaker at our dinner and for reading the Honour Roll on Remembrance Day. The work you do to keep alive the memory of our veterans and the history of the cenotaph is so very much required and appreciated.
To the Optimist Club, thank you so very much for taking care of the Remembrance Dinner; the food was great as well as the service. You do so much for our communities and your partnership with Branch 102 is priceless.
We thank all the people responsible for the meaningful Remembrance Day programs in both Walkerton and Mildmay. Sergeant-at-Arms Phil Englishman did a great job of organizing the parades as well as arranging the flag carriers for our Remembrance Dinner. In particular, I’d like to thank Rabbi Steve Schonblum for such a thoughtful and emotional message at both services.
I know that I have probably missed some people and if I have, I apologize. Please know that every little thing that is done for the Poppy Campaign and for the success of Branch 102 is so very much appreciated. I thank you.
May we always understand what our veterans and their families have sacrificed for us, and do what we can to show our appreciation. For those who leave, never to return; for those who return, but are never the same.
We remember.
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Rose Austin is the president of the Walkerton Legion.
