Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty Receives First Poppy
His Honour the Honourable Russ Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan received the first poppy of the 2020 Poppy Campaign in Saskatchewan. The Poppy was presented at a virtual ceremony by The Royal Canadian Legion – Saskatchewan Command President Keith Andrews. His Honour, in turn, presented the second poppy to Sergeant (ret’d) Paul Valiquette.
“I am honoured to receive the first poppy in Saskatchewan,” said the Lieutenant Governor. “I encourage everyone to wear a poppy to pay tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed much to serve our country. I am grateful to the Legion for their ongoing support of veterans and service people, which is made possible through donations to the Poppy Fund.”
“The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to present the first poppy to His Honour, who is, himself, a veteran of the RCMP,” said President Andrews. “The staff and volunteers of the 165 Legion Branches in Saskatchewan work throughout the year to help local Veterans and to serve our communities and our country.”
“It’s a great privilege to receive this poppy from the Legion, presented by His Honour,” said Veteran Paul Valiquette. “I will wear it in honour of the men and women I served with in Afghanistan, Golan Heights, and on many other operations. When I was diagnosed with an Operational Stress Injury, the Poppy Fund assisted me with emergency funding for groceries and rent, and even to find a better home through the Leave the Streets Program. I work with the Legion today and use the training I received in Mental Health First Aid to help others.”
Poppies will be available to the public beginning on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Legions and participating merchants and public venues across the province. Funds raised through the Poppy Campaign support programs for veterans and their families. For more information about Legion programs in Saskatchewan visit https://legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy-campaign.
Officially adopted in Canada in 1921 by the Great War Veterans’ Association (one of the predecessors of today’s Royal Canadian Legion), poppies are recognized as the national symbol of remembrance for the Canadian men and women who gave their lives during military service around the world.
Link to virtual poppy presentation video: http://sasklegion.ca/2020firstpoppy/
Media information:
Carolyn Speirs, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
306-787-6460, carolyn.speirs@gov.sk.ca
Chad Wagner, Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command
306-525-8739, ped@sasklegion.ca