Earle Fraser joined the Royal Canadian Legion 59 years ago, and has served in pretty much every capacity through the years, including more Poppy Fund campaigns than he can enumerate.
The 80-year-old veteran is helping to organize this year’s Remembrance Day services in Cloverdale so the community can show its appreciation and caring for the people who have served this country.
“It’s a big deal,” he said. “We go all out.”
Cloverdale, which has a branch of more than 1,700 members (Fraser included), has one of the largest ceremonies in Western Canada. The ceremony, which attracts approximately 5,000 people, is followed by entertainment in the branch for veterans, and guests, such as cadets and the other groups that participated in the Nov. 11 program.
Fraser noted that the public stands silent as politicians, community groups and businesses lay wreaths except for one instance – the veteran representing prisoners of war.
“Prisoners of war get applause. No other wreath layers do,” he said.
Leading up to the services Nov. 11, he’s encouraging people to get their poppies, whether from the taggers at many locations around the community or at the branch on 57th Avenue.
The money people give for poppies at these locations stays in the community to help the veterans of east Surrey and western Langley, which is now covered by the Cloverdale branch since the loss of the Langley legion.
The poppy campaign runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 11. It’s a short window but brings in vital funds. Fraser said he was always warmly greeted by the public when he was tagging at various sites.
“Oh, it’s poppy time. I got to get my poppy. I hear that,” he said.
And sometimes people wanted to chat about their experiences, or the vets among their family and friends.
Poppies aren’t sold. People donate in exchange for a poppy and there’s some electronic payment machines that will be used at local stores. There’s also options at the legion branch.
The legion has expanded its offerings with such things as biodegradable poppies which people will find in counter-top boxes and from volunteers out on the streets.
As well the wreaths purchased by local charities, businesses, politicians, and others for use on Nov. 11 are also made from biodegradable materials now. The legion also has silicone ‘Lest We Forget’ bracelets, black reusable centre pins (to keep poppies attached to lapels), and Aboriginal poppies available to the public.
Fraser noted that the branch makes donations to individuals who qualify, and sometimes that includes emergency funds because the cupboards are empty. As well donations are made to care facilities that support veterans, including Langley Lodge, the George Derby Centre, Amos Ferguson Manor, Brock Fahrni Pavilion.
As well, the branch made two $20,000 donations to two local hospitals.
“We donated money to both the Langley and Surrey hospitals for equipment,” he added.
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