Mayor Ames Leslie, left, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #9 in Battleford president Esther Delainey, right, with the commemorative flag to remember Canada's veterans. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Honouring those who served

Town raises the Poppy Flag to remember veterans

Nov 1, 2021 | 12:15 PM

With a frosty chill in the air, representatives from the Town of Battleford and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 9 raised the commemorative “Poppy Flag” to remember Canada’s veterans in a special ceremony outside town hall on Monday morning.

The event is a lead up to Remembrance Day later this month.

Mayor Ames Leslie said while the pandemic is again changing the way Remembrance Day activities are held, it’s important for everyone to continue to recognize the meaning of the day.

“COVID presents some uncertainties but I think flying the banners as well as this flag here at town hall just shows that the town is supportive of all our veterans past and present…,” he said. “We look forward to Remembrance Day, whether it is virtual for many people to watch, or if some people are lucky enough to attend in person.”

He said Remembrance Day is very significant, so he hopes everyone takes a moment and “honours our men and women of uniform, past and present.”

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Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 9 in Battleford president Esther Delainey said it’s great to see the recognition for Canada’s veterans.

“It’s a reminder to everybody that remembrance is very important,” she said.

Delainey said only the local legion branch members and a couple of invited guests will be able to attend the service at the Legion Hall on Nov. 11 to limit numbers as a COVID-19 precaution. There will be no public service.

“It will be videotaped and uploaded to our Facebook Page probably about two days after Remembrance Day,” she said. “We will be recognizing the veterans, and any businesses who have sponsored wreaths will be acknowledged.”

Some of the wreaths will be placed at the cenotaph in Battleford immediately after the service.

(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

The “Honour Our Veterans” program banners are on display downtown and throughout Battleford until Nov. 18. The program in Battleford is organized by the Fred Light Museum in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 9 and the Town of Battleford.

Coming up, the Battleford Legion branch is again planning its annual Poppy Day Tea and Bake Sale at the branch location on Nov. 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Poppies and wreaths will be available for purchase at the event.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW