A new partnership between the Royal Canadian Legion Collingwood branch and the local BIA will pay tribute to Collingwood men and women who have served in Canada’s Army, Navy and Air Force.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the Collingwood BIA is adding to its decorative banner program. This year, the BIA will include banners bearing photographs of war veterans with connections to Collingwood. The banners will be installed on the downtown light standards and the usual poppy banners will be installed on light standards along the downtown side streets.
The banners will feature the Canadian flag, the Union Jack, a photo of the veteran, their name and the war they served in along with the logo of the Collingwood Legion.
Members of the community can submit photos and descriptions of a war veteran from their family to the BIA for inclusion in the banner program. The BIA projects as many as 50 new banners for this project, but plan to start with 10 for this year.
While the BIA will be absorbing the cost of producing and installing the banners, they are asking for a $100 donation with each application for the local Legion’s Poppy Fund.
“I believe I said, ‘wow!’" said Don Wilcox, historian, museum curator and public relations coordinator at the Legion Branch 63 (Collingwood). “The Legion is just overly excited about it … we couldn’t ask for more.”
Wilcox has amassed a large collection of photographs of local war veterans and said he would be happy to help families submit a photo for the banner program.
Money donated to the Poppy campaign is used locally to help veterans and their families. Wilcox said the money is managed by a head office and the local legion makes application for funds in order to stay accountable and make sure the money is used in support of a veteran or their family.
“The banner program is a conscientious effort to recognize the sacrifice made by many members of our community,” said Penny Skelton, chair of the Collingwood Downtown BIA in a press release. “Collingwood, let’s show our pride in family, military service and for some families, the ultimate sacrifice.
This year there will also be two new commemorative benches installed at the cenotaph to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The backs of the benches feature a silhouette image of various soldiers and poppies in red on one side. BIA general manager, Sue Nicholson, said the benches would be installed in time for this year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Skelton, Nicholson and Wilcox were at the Collingwood council’s Corporate and Community Services Standing committee last night (Sept. 5) presenting the idea.
If you would like to submit a photo and application for inclusion in the BIA’s veteran banner program, visit the BIA website or email Sue Nicholson for more information. You can also reach Nicholson by phone at 705-445-5595.
