Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
Saskatchewan will trade the prairie lily for a poppy this month.
The City of Saskatoon will officially launch its poppy campaign on Saturday to raise awareness for veterans who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Malcolm Young, program director for the Saskatoon Remembrance Day service and a veteran himself, spoke ahead of the launch.
Read more:
- VIDEO: Wainwright community deeply shaken by military base tragedy
- ‘Hurting’: Vigil in Wainwright, Alta., for soldiers caught in deadly fire
- Canadians step up blood donations in wake of deadly Wainwright fire
He spoke about the importance of the poppy campaign and the work it does to support the community.
“The poppy campaign itself has been an integral part of the Canadian Legion since its establishment in 1926. So, for us, it’s a way of recognizing the importance of what will lead up to Nov. 11. But more importantly, the money raised through the poppy campaign is used directly to support veterans and their families in a number of different ways,” he said.
The poppy campaign officially launches on Saturday in Saskatoon. (Roman Hayter/650 CKOM)
“The money that’s raised here in Saskatoon is held in trust and used within specific guidelines. Once again, it’s used to support veterans and their families. I personally have witnessed the power of that money and how it’s used to support veterans who are in need.”
“We all have this belief that people will live their lives and their lives will be moved forward as we all would like to see, but service has consequences, and veterans and their families do need support. The money raised through the poppy campaign and other charitable organizations allows us to do that,” Young said.
Donations collected as part of the campaign support services and initiatives such as shelter, transportation, medical aids, bursaries for veterans’ dependants, support for cadet squadrons and Veterans Village at Sherbrooke Community Centre.
“It would be fantastic to see every citizen in this city wear a poppy. We encourage everyone to come to SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and show their support for our veterans by attending the Remembrance Day service as another show of support for veterans and their families,” Young said.
Saskatoon will hold its Remembrance Day service at SaskTel Centre on Nov. 11.
Doors will open at 8:45 a.m., with the program starting at 10 a.m.
At 11 a.m., attendees will observe a moment of silence, followed by the wreath-laying ceremony.
In the wake of the devastating fire at CFB Wainwright, Young said it is important to honour Canada’s service members.
“The tragic incident in Wainwright obviously has impacted Canadians across this country, directly the families of the soldiers and soldiers themselves. We remember with much respect the four soldiers who died in service of our country, and the wounded and injured and their families.”
The flags outside the Royal Canadian Legion in Saskatoon fly at half-mast to honour the victims of the fire at CFB Wainwright. (Roman Hayter/650 CKOM)
“I think all Canadians can appreciate that any time someone who stands up and serves our country has died. That has a more meaningful impact. As a veteran myself, obviously that is impactful because I think of past service, past friends I’ve known who have died in service of our country. But Nov. 11 itself also brings forward some of those emotions and memories as well. But it’s reinforced, unfortunately, by the tragic events of last week,” Young said.
