The community joined veterans and members of the Langford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to mark the start of the National Poppy Campaign on Oct. 25.
“If we don't mark Remembrance, I think we're lost as a country,” said Norm Scott, president of Langford’s Royal Canadian Legion.
While the annual campaign helps to raise funds to support veterans and their families, Scott, who has been the Legion’s president for 16 years, says the event also encourages a period of reflection.
“It means a lot to me,” he said. “November 11 is a key day to remember veterans, but Remembrance can also be an opportunity to remember everyone affected by war – family, parents, grandparents, children. Remembrance means a lot to me in the essence of that.”
Outside the Legion, Scott presented the first poppies of the campaign to local dignitaries including MLA-elect for Langford-Highlands, Ravi Parmar, Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi, Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson, Highlands Mayor Ken Williams and Coun. Shelly Donaldson from the District of Metchosin.
“The poppy symbolizes for me the servicemen and women who laid everything on the line to ensure that our country is free from war,” said Parmar, who added it felt "truly meaningful" to receive one of the first poppies of the campaign. "It is so important for us to acknowledge and remember that every year.”
Langford’s Mayor Goodmanson, who was joined by his daughter Hazel, reflected on how the meaning of Remembrance and the Poppy Campaign has changed for him over the years. As a child, he did not fully understand the impact of war, he says, but now older and wiser, with friends who are veterans, he has realized the importance of talking time to remember the sacrifices made by others during periods of conflict.
“We just don't want to see another worldwide war again,” added Colwood’s Mayor Kobayashi, who was a colonel in the Air Force. “It is really good that we're involving younger people, so they can learn the importance of Remembrance.”
The Langford Legion ceremony was one of seven held across the West Shore on Oct. 25, to mark the start of the campaign, which will run until Rembrance Day on Nov. 11.
