Marie Mathers pins the first poppy in Prince Albert on Sergeant Linwood Williams who is part of the North Saskatchewan Regiment. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Poppy campaign

First poppy pinned on active service member from Shellbrook

Oct 31, 2025 | 12:51 PM

The first poppy of 2025 at the Royal Canadian Legion #2 Branch in Prince Albert was pinned on an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces who hails from Shellbrook.

Sergeant Linwood Williams is part of the North Saskatchewan Regiment but spent 10 years with the 2nd Battalion in Shiloh, Manitoba, and was recently posted to the unit in Prince Albert, not far from home.

“It’s such an honour, I was shocked to be even thought of for something like this, so this is amazing,” said Williams.

Williams has been posted to Latvia and was in the Ukraine conflict when it first began a decade ago.

In his opinion, wherever people are, there is always the possibility of dispute.

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“I think there is always going to be conflict in the world, but it is important to remember those that came before us and those that are here now and those that will sign up in the future,” he said.

With global unrest and changing political landscapes, the Canadian Armed Forces are expanding as the federal government keeps commitments to increase defense spending.

Williams has words of advice for young people considering a career in the military.

“Do some research, maybe talk to some friends or family members that are in or know people who are in,” he said. “Ask questions and if it’s something that you feel like doing, don’t wait and go and do it and live your life and go on an adventure.”

As a recent new member of the Prince Albert Legion, Williams hopes to see more youthful members join.

“They serve a very important role for all of our veterans and our currently serving members and I think if we lose the Legion, we lose a big piece of our history,” he said.

Marie Mathers chose Williams as the first recipient of the 2025 poppy, which kicks off the annual campaign that ends on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.

“At the time I picked him, I didn’t know he was a member,” Mathers said.

She chooses the recipient based on information from another Legion member but was glad to know that her choice had recently joined.

According to Mathers, the city of Prince Albert has only four veterans from WWII who are still living, but there are veterans from more recent conflicts in places like Afghanistan.

While services on Nov. 11 are there for Canadians to think about the ultimate sacrifice paid by members of the forces, the money from poppy sales serves a much more practical purpose and is very relevant to younger veterans.

“We look after those veterans if they want some help,” Mathers said.

“Some might not have the money to be able to get, for example, eyeglasses or teeth, and we help them like that.”

The needs are generally always medical, she said.

This year’s services, including bagpipes, will be back at the Prince Albert Armoury in the Exhibition Grounds. All attendees need to be seated by 10:30 a.m. as the service will proceed according to schedule in order to make the deadline for two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.

Following that, people are welcome to go to the Legion for snacks and coffee.

Poppies will be available at many stores in the city, including Co-op, Safeway, Superstore, Princess Auto, and Walmart.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social