Legion, CAF match campaign periods
Poppies of remembrance are on the horizon, with a longer season this year. Representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion have been visiting community, government and military partners, including 14 Wing Greenwood; in recent days to prepare for the 2026 Poppy Campaign.
“I’m really glad you came in: the wing’s relationship with the Legion means a lot to us,” 14 Wing Colonel Angie Thomas told Royal Canadian Legion Alvin H. Foster MM Br 098 delegates on their October 17 visit to present her and Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper with the branch’s first poppies.
Starting this year, Canadian Armed Forces members will wear the poppy from October 24 to November 11, aligning with the Royal Canadian Legion’s now set National Poppy Campaign. Previously, CAF members began wearing the poppy on the last Friday in October. Canadian Forces Dress Instructions will be updated to reflect the change.
Kingston Poppy Campaign chairman Captain (retired) Richard Stacey said the shared start to the Poppy Campaign makes it consistent between the two organizations, and ensures a full two weeks is available for Legion members and volunteers to be in their communities offering poppies to supporters.
“Last year, we exceeded our 2024 campaign fund total, but we’d added a couple locations and we were supported by the Kingston Lions at some of their events,” Stacey said. “But, last year, the ‘last Friday of October’ means there were only 10 days in campaign, with only one weekend. It’s our main fundraiser.”
For the Kingston Legion, that means Poppy Fund support for veterans’ and remembrance initiatives. In the past year, the Kingston branch has supported two high school graduation bursaries, purchased several loanable walkers and wheelchairs, sponsored the 517 Flight Lieutenant McLean Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, hosted a veterans’ weekly support group coffee morning and enhanced life at the Soldiers Memorial Hospital Veterans’ Unit with a new TV, a garden BBQ and newspaper subscriptions.
14 Wing has asked its network of chief warrant officers to partner with Valley area Legions and offer support and guidance on Canadian Armed Forces-specific practices and protocols, with a number of outreach meetings already completed.
November 11, Thomas and Harper will meet with a number of Acadia University military students, and then attend the Acadia-hosted service lead by Royal Canadian Legion Dr CB Lumsden Branch 74.
