The City of Colwood was honoured to welcome members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 today for their annual Poppy Flag Raising Ceremony to mark the beginning of their annual National Poppy Campaign.
Members of Colwood Council, City staff, and students from Wishart Elementary were in attendance to witness the flag raising and reflect on the meaning of remembrance day and the sacrifices of those who served.
Lest We Forget
Each year, millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.
The poppy is a visual reminder that we will not forget those who have died in battle, and those whose lives have been forever changed by war, including families who have lost grandparents, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours.
It is a symbol intended to create a bond between generations - our veterans who hold our history and our youth who hold the future.
Funds raised during the Poppy Campaign enable support for Veterans, their families, and our community.
Learn more about the National Poppy Campaign at www.Legion.ca.
An ongoing symbol of remembrance at City Hall
A permanent poppy stone was unveiled today at City Hall as well. The stone was a gift to Mayor Kobayashi from veteran and local charity director, Trevor Davis.
After spending 30 years in public service, 10 of those in the military, Trevor Davis is still actively giving back to the community.
Trevor began making the stones as gifts but soon gained interest from others in the community, leading to over 140 requests for stones.
With his friends and family supporting him, Trevor makes the stones and donates all money raised to the charity he started twenty years ago, the Maxine Davis Christmas Care Project. The charity provides financial assistance during the holiday season for families and single women who have left abusive situations.
The City of Colwood is proud to display this poppy stone at City Hall. Like the Remembrance Day poppy, it’s a similar symbol of peace that we hope will encourage reflection, remembrance, and compassion all year long.
Upcoming Remembrance Day events
Join Mayor Kobayashi and members of Colwood Council along with the 7th Juan de Fuca Scouts for the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Juan de Fuca cenotaph. The ceremony takes place on November 11, 2023 at 11am.
The cenotaph stands in the small Garry Oak grove outside the Juan de Fuca Arena. It was built in 1974 to mark the location where a Bofors gun was installed in 1942 to protect Esquimalt Harbour after a submarine shelled the Estevan Point Lighthouse north of Tofino.