Communities across Canada have started to see poppy donation boxes appear in stores and offices. 

Legion President of Steinbach Branch, Bill Richards, says the annual Poppy Campaign begins on the last Friday of October and runs through to November 11. 

“We, in the Legion, call this Remembrance Month. The idea behind the Poppy Campaign, of course, goes way back almost 100 years to when we were established as a legion. The significance of the poppy came as a result of the famous poem by Colonel John McCrae, during the First World War, In Flanders Fields.” 

The poppy has since become a powerful symbol of remembrance. Richards says wearing one is deeply meaningful. 

“It's important to remember the sacrifices made by those who have fallen during the various wars that we've been involved in. And it's also important to remember for those who currently serve as well. The poppy represents remembrance. And it's very important that people take time to reflect by wearing a poppy." 

Richards says the Legion works hard to make poppies available across the southeast. 

“We've done pretty well so far. They're all out there right now. And so, people will find them in various retail stores such as Tim Hortons, Walmart, Superstore, Canadian Tire, and other retailers as well.” 

He adds that residents will also have a chance to get their poppies in person this weekend. 

“We have our local Air Cadet Squadron and Sea Cadet Squadron who will be out in uniform, and they will be carrying trays of poppies in the same stores I just referred to. So that blitz this weekend is pretty big and important.” 

Funds raised through the Poppy Campaign stay within the local Legion branch. 

“The money can only be used to support veterans and their families. So, some of the things we do with that money is provide medical assistance. Sometimes we pay for prescriptions or various specialized medical needs and other items that veterans and families may require.” 

Richards notes that many residents ask whether their donations help local veterans, and the answer is yes. 

“We believe strongly that people who donate money to the Poppy Campaign in this area, that money should stay here. And we do our very best to do that. We do not send the money off to, let's say, Ottawa or Winnipeg or anything like that. We try to keep those funds locally.” 

He says that the Legion is always impressed by the generosity of residents in the southeast. 

“Last year we raised over $15,000 in donations and that was incredible. We're one of the most giving communities in Manitoba, and we thank you for that.” 

Residents are also invited to attend the annual Remembrance Day service on November 11 at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre. 

Richards says doors open at 10 a.m., with the service beginning at 10:45 a.m. 

“We are well attended. We have over 400 people attending every year. So, we ask that people come by 10:30.” 

After the service, Cadets, Police, Emergency Service Personnel, and Armed Forces members will gather at the Cenotaph in downtown Steinbach. 

“We conduct a very short memorial there, very informal. People are encouraged to attend with their poppy. They can place the poppy on the wreath that's in front of the Cenotaph, reflect and meditate, and then the service is over at that point.” 

Honour Roll of local service personnel: 

World War I 

  • Peter Wiebe Friesen 

  • John Gorrie 

  • Thomas Alfred Hasted 

World War II 

  • George Barkman 

  • George Barthelette 

  • Ronald Campbell 

  • Harold Evans 

  • Louis Fabas 

  • Frank Giesbrecht 

  • David Hiebert 

  • Jacob Klippenstein 

  • Emilien Lamontagne 

  • George Morand 

  • Henry Rodgers 

  • Arthur Rodrigue 

  • Henry Schmidke 

  • Marcel Sinclair 

  • Henry Wiebe 

  • Peter Wiebe 

  • Michael Wintoniw 

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