Collingwood Legion reminds residents ‘remembering is the most important thing’ this Nov. 11

While November traditionally brings with it a cold winter wind, it hasn’t dampened the spirits of Collingwood residents and their willingness to brave the elements to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The annual Remembrance Day ceremony is one of the most well attended and important events on the community calendar.

However, as with all other events, COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of the traditional event, including the parade and ceremony at the Cenotaph.

Royal Canadian Legion president Rob Graham said a small contingent of Legion members will be laying wreaths on Nov. 11.

“We can’t have people out; we’re under the same constraints as everyone else,” he said. 

“It’s disappointing to have to come to that conclusion, but it’s also the only reasonable conclusion to come to.”

Graham said residents should take time to remember those who fought and died for Canada.

“I would encourage them to stay home, stay safe, watch the national service from Ottawa, and at 11 a.m., remember,” he said. “It’s nice to get together, it’s nice to have the veterans and armed services on parade and we’ve been very fortunate with wonderful crowds and services year after year, but the most important thing is remembering.”

While COVID-19 has changed the way people will remember the fallen, it’s also changed the annual poppy campaign.

Annually, Legion volunteers and members of the local cadet corps could be found outside stores with boxes of poppies, collecting donations.

However, restrictions will not allow that to happen. Poppy boxes will be available at a variety of locations, including Home Depot, Home Hardware, Tim Hortons, LCBO, and The Beer Store.

“Normally we have 110 boxes, but it won’t be anywhere near that,” said poppy campaign chair Hans Muller. “Totally different campaign this year.”

All money raised from the campaign helps veterans in a variety of ways.

“Our first priority would be the veterans and their dependents,” Muller said.

He said they not only help individual veterans in need, but organizations that assist veterans, including Leave the Streets Behind, as well as the local hospital.

“Any veteran that comes for help, we help them,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Muller said while they expect donations to be down because of the pandemic, they will collect what they can to help veterans.

He said local businesses, as many have in the past, can make donations to the campaign.

Graham said despite COVID-19, the local Legion is healthy. He said the members’ side of the Legion is open six days a week, while the Normandy Room is occupied by the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Remembrance Day ceremonies and the poppy campaign are always important to the Collingwood community. How are things changing because of COVID-19? We talked to legion president Rob Graham and poppy chair Hans Muller.