2022 Poppy Campaign launches (6 photos)

Despite COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place last fall, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25’s tally of over $90,000 through the sale of poppies and wreaths in the 2021 Poppy Campaign came as good news to Branch officials. 

With restrictions now lifted, Branch 25 is hoping to raise just as much money - if not more - this year.

“It was one of our better years,” said Pierre Breckenridge, Branch 25 1st vice president as the 2022 Poppy Campaign officially started with the raising of the campaign flag and a brief ceremony at the Cenotaph outside the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse on Friday morning.

“We were quite pleased with the community’s support in 2021 because during COVID we didn’t have as many poppy taggers. I expect that we’ll be close to $90,000 or over that again this year,” Breckenridge told SooToday.

Funds raised annually through poppy sales assist homeless veterans as well as veterans and their families who need other types of support. 

A portion of funds raised last year also went to local cadet programs, ARCH and Sault Area Hospital’s Algoma District Cancer Program.

This year, funds raised by Branch 25 through poppy and wreath sales will go to veterans as usual and to a yet to be determined local health care facility, Breckenridge said. 

Branch 25 officials, Sault MPP Ross Romano and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lambert, 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment commanding officer were on hand for Friday’s ceremony.

Command of the 49th will pass from Lambert to Lieutenant Colonel (upon promotion) Brian Nadon at a private ceremony at the Sault Ste. Marie Armoury beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Lambert told SooToday that he will remain a reservist and will soon be deployed to Iraq to serve in an administrative role with the Canadian Armed Forces for a few months.

Breckenridge said that the Poppy Campaign is also in honour of such currently serving CAF personnel.

“It’s the fact that they signed on the dotted line and took the oath, that they’re prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Hopefully they never do and unfortunately many have,” Breckenridge said.

As reported earlier, 2022 will mark a return to normal, full scale Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Cenotaph and GFL Memorial Gardens, including the popular March for a Veteran component.

In addition, a number of local businesses have decorated their storefronts in recent years with Remembrance Day themes to honour veterans who served, in particular those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Branch 25 is encouraging businesses to do so again this year.

The local legion branch will be presenting a plaque in appreciation for the best display.