Stephen Vance, Staff
Representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 32 Meaford, gathered at Market Square on Friday, October 25 to raise the Poppy Flag.
In addition to raising the flag, Poppy Committee Chairman Brian Docherty pinned a poppy on Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney’s lapel.
“The Poppy Flag has only been used for about two years now,” Docherty explained after the raising of the flag. “Most branches post it on their own flag pole, but because of the situation that we are in (renting space at Riverside Hall), we only have one pole, and it has the Canadian flag on it, so we have nowhere to put it.”
Docherty said that he contacted the Mayor to inquire about possible use of the municipal flag poles, a request that was quickly granted. Mayor Barb Clumpus was unable to attend the flag raising so Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney stood in her place. Docherty explained that the pinning of the poppy on the Deputy Mayor’s lapel was representative of the presentation of the first poppy each year to Canada’s Governor General.
Poppies are available at a number of outlets in the municipality including local pharmacies and grocery stores leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11.
