On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Renfrew will remember, lest we forget.
Renfrew Legion Branch 148 will hold its Remembrance Day commemoration at the Low Square Cenotaph this Saturday as their Poppy Campaign, which raises money in support of local veterans and their families, continues into this weekend.
Campaign Chair Arlene Jamieson is crediting her team of volunteers, who have stepped up at a time when other communities in Renfrew County have seen local Legion branches struggle to find people who are available to help.
Jamieson says the poppy campaign raised $29,723 in 2022, and while this year’s totals won’t be known until shortly after November 11th, she says that they got off to a great start between donation boxes and volunteers doing active “poppy tagging” outside local stores, businesses, and organizations over the past weekends.
It all leads up to the local Remembrance Day ceremony, taking place on Saturday, November 11th, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Low Square Cenotaph outside Town Hall.
Jamieson says the Legion’s role in the event will begin with a short trip down Raglan Street South just a few minutes before then.
The service will begin once everyone has formed up at Low Square, including the singing of O Canada, two minutes of silence, the act of remembrance, and the laying of wreaths at the base of the monument.
Jamieson is inviting all residents to attend, including the large number of newcomers to Renfrew, who she is hoping will drop by to see how important the commemoration is for our local veterans and the community at large.
(written by Kasey Egan)
