Tears for loved ones lost in war as poppy campaign in Sudbury begins

The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2023 National Poppy Campaign is officially underway.

In Sudbury on Friday there was a flag raising and wreath laying and poppy donation boxes were distributed across the area.

Veteran Roger Bujold, 80, raised the poppy flag at Branch 76 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

This is an emotional time of year for him. He never met his oldest brother who was killed in the Second World War.

“My brother gave his life for me to be here,” Bujold said, as tears welled up.

“It happens to me every year, I can’t help it.”

Bujold hopes people of all ages wear a poppy to show respect for the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Veteran Roger Bujold, 80, raised the poppy flag at Branch 76 of the Royal Canadian Legion. (Alana Everson/CTV News)

“In the cemetery where he is buried there (are) two Canadians,” he said.

“One army and one air force and the rest are all different countries that did that for us to be here. It means a lot and the young people don’t realize that.”

Deputy Mayor Joscelyne Landry-Altmann read a proclamation for Poppy Days campaign, which runs now until Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

“Often we do not know the history or what the issues were or the initiatives that were taken in order to support or change the way we live and to affect the way we live and to offer the freedoms that we have here,” Landry-Altman said.

Poppies are now available at various locations across the city. The poppy chair of one local legion explains their meaning.

“It symbolizes veterans that have passed,” said Gisele Pharand, Branch 76 poppy chair.

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“Veterans that were injured in the wars. It tells us to remember hopefully so we don’t repeat what happened.”

Officials with the Royal Canadian Legion said close to $20 million is donated during the National Poppy Campaign, with funds supporting veterans and their families.

Funds donated locally stay local.