Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion launches its National Poppy Campaign today to prepare for Remembrance Day.

Proceeds of poppies sold between now and November 11 will go towards various services for helping Canadian veterans.

In Thunder Bay, the Royal Canadian Slovak Legion (Branch 129) commemorated the occasion with its annual raising of the poppy flag at city hall.

“People got short memories,” says Slovak Legion member Roderick Mackay. “You got to do this every year, otherwise it’s just gone.”

Mackay says the poppy is to remind the public of people who have died in Canada’s armed conflicts.

Mackay spent decades in the Canadian army reserves as a regimental sergeant major.

“For the guys like me, I remember all the guys I served with. They didn’t get killed in battle and stuff, but they put their part in it,” Mackay remarks.

Mayor Ken Boshcoff presided over the raising of the flag.

“I think it’s vital that those Legion representatives who came here today, who’ve been doing this for decades… know that the city has their back,” the mayor says.

As Boshcoff will not be running for re-election, this will be his last flag-raising as mayor.

“It’s kind of emotional, I’ll say that,” he says. Boshcoff intends to continue being present for the ceremonies after his tenure.

“You know, people have got to count their blessings. We live in the best country in the world. It didn’t get there by accident,” Boschoff adds.