By TERRY PUGH
A total of 24,000 poppies were delivered to businesses and schools in area communities by volunteers with the Duck Lake branch of the Royal Canadian Legion late last week.
Long-time Duck Lake Legion officials Denis and Rachelle Poirier, along with several other volunteers from Duck Lake and Rosthern, began distributing the crimson Remembrance Day symbols on Thursday, October 24, and finished deliveries on Friday, October 25, the first day of the annual Poppy Campaign.
Poppies are now available at area businesses, including the Clark’s Crossing Gazette office in Warman,
The poppy is a sign of respect for veterans who served their country in the two world wars, Korea, and other conflicts around the world, according to Denis Poirier.
“It’s a way of honouring the veterans,” said Poirier. “Many of them lost their lives, so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have now. Those veterans who returned from overseas were the ones who started the Legion to commemorate their comrades.”
The Duck Lake branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was founded in the late 1940s, just a few years after World War II ended, said Poirier, adding it was a way for veterans and their families to support each other.

That support continues for today’s military veterans and their families, he added, noting that you don’t have to be a member of the military to join the Legion.
“The poppy campaign raises funds to support veterans and their families,” said Poirier. “Ten per cent of the funds we raise locally goes toward the Saskatchewan provincial Legion Command, but the rest stays in the local communities for worthy projects. We’ve used funds to purchase needed equipment for nursing homes where veterans are residents. Some funds have also gone to help children and grandchildren of veterans with their academic studies and athletics. But every penny is accounted for. There are a lot of checks and balances in the system.”
Poirier said every year the number of poppies distributed in Duck Lake, Rosthern, Beardy’s and Okemasis, Hague, Osler, Warman, Martensville and Hepburn increases. He noted the Air Cadets in Martensville are especially helpful in raising the profile of the poppy campaign and encouraging people to wear a poppy as a symbol of remembrance.
He said members of the Duck Lake Legion branch were saddened to learn of the passing of Omer Ranger, a former President of their Legion branch who was also very active in the Duck Lake community. Ranger passed away October 17 and his funeral is slated for November 2. The Duck Lake Legion will have an honour guard at his service.
The Duck Lake Legion is also hosting a Remembrance Day Service on Monday, November 11 at the Belladrome in Duck Lake.
A large Remembrance Day service is slated for Warman at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex, also on November 11.