Veterans' Week 2008 And The Poppy Campaign - Time to Remember November 1, 2008 The Wartime Heritage Association is proud to support the 2008 Poppy Campaign in Canada as part of the Association's remembrance initiatives for November and Veterans' Week 2008. Donations received from the Poppy Campaign by the Royal Canadian Legion are put into trust accounts and used accordingly to assist needy veterans, ex-service members, their families and former members of Commonwealth and allied military services. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada launched the Campaign from Rideau Hall in Ottawa on October 23: "Ninety years ago, the entire world declared that it was through with war. In Flanders Fields—where the bombs had been dropped, where the fallen had been buried, where the white crosses had been planted as far as the eye could see—wild poppies grew and flourished. On that land that had seen so much death and been scarred by the trenches, life fought back, and prevailed. As if to tell destiny that the forces of creation will always triumph over the forces of destruction. As if to say that even the worst atrocities will never vanquish the beauty in the world. It was that hope that inspired Dr. John McCrae when he wrote in his now-famous poem, In Flanders Fields: “Take up your quarrel with the foe; to you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.” It is that hope that pushed—and still pushes—thousands of young people to leave everything behind—family and friends—to come to the aid of women, men and children they have never even met, to save them from the yoke of oppression. And it is that hope that we are sharing with all those around us when we wear a poppy on our lapel. In so doing, we are saying that we will never forget. We will never forget the immense gift of all of those sacrificed lives. We will never forget the importance of their fight for freedom. We will never forget how fragile this freedom is, a freedom that cost us so dearly. Today, I am launching the Poppy Campaign, as we sow the promises of a better world. I encourage all Canadians to wear this emblem over their hearts, allowing fields of poppies to blossom in communities all across Canada. The Wartime Heritage Association has prepared a pamphlet for distribution to all students, teachers and staff at the Yarmouth High School; some 800 in total. The content deals with November Remembrance initiatives: the purpose of the poppy; the Association's "We Remember" bracelets campaign; and the Association's wartime theatrical production of "Echoes of the Forties" to Commemorate Veterans' Week 2008 at Th'YARC in November. The Association has also mounted a Remembrance display in the lobby of the High School for November with the history of the three military bases located in Yarmouth during WWII. In explaining the Poppy Campaign, the Association's goal was to inform people that the Poppy Campaign is not only to perpetuate Remembrance and remind remind Canadians of the sacrifice of the 117 000 Canadians who died in the military, Merchant Navy and Ferry Command in two world wars, the Korean War and other theatres globally. It is also to raise funds to assist those Veterans that are still among us. "Activities supported by Poppy Trust Funds include: assisting needy veterans, ex-service members and their families; purchasing medical appliances; funding medical research and training, providing bursaries to the children and grandchildren of veterans and ex-service members; and funding accommodation, care facilities, meals-on-wheels, transport and related services for veterans, seniors and disabled persons." (Royal Canadian Legion) Continuing after performances at Royal Canadian Legion branches in Chester Basin and Truro, the Association's fourth Time to Remember production of Echoes of the Forties will be presented in Yarmouth. The last 4 shows of the season will be on the stage of Th'YARC Playhouse (Yarmouth Regional Arts Centre) November 8, 9, 15 and 16. Saturday, Nov. 8 and 15 shows are at 7 pm and Sunday, Nov. 9 and 16 are matinees at 2 pm. The most recent performance in Truro was a success, where a dinner theatre event commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion Colchester Branch #26 on Saturday, October 25. "We performed to a full room of Veterans, their husband's and wives and other Legion members and friends"; Production Manager Glen Gaudet explained. Some of the best feedback was the type cast member Kasey Forbes received from a WWII Veteran: "The whole show was just like pay day when we all went down to the canteen with our friends and sang all those songs.