The Newmarket legion and veterans’ association are asking residents to remember the sacrifices of veterans starting Friday.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 426 Newmarket is marking the start of remembrance season with a flag raising at the Newmarket town office Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. That will be followed by the poppy campaign starting in town to fundraise for veterans and events for Remembrance Day weekend.
Legion president Crystal Cook said remembrance is of the utmost importance.
"We live in a world today where we’re free. That freedom came with many sacrifices and it still continues to this day,” Cook said. “We have many of our community members who are either currently serving or retired Canadian Forces members who go out every day to put their lives on the line … It’s important to remember those sacrifices.”
The annual poppy drive will see boxes spread throughout the community. Donations are held in a trust at the branch level to directly support veterans and their families in the community.
After the flag-raising ceremony, the next big Remembrance event will come Sunday, Nov. 10 with the legion’s annual Remembrance Day Parade. Participants will form up at 1 p.m. at Doug Duncan Drive, marching at 1:30 p.m. to the cenotaph on Darcy Street for a 2 p.m. service, with a reception at the Newmarket legion building on 707 Srigley St. after that.
On Remembrance Day itself, the Newmarket Veterans’ Association will have its annual event at the Newmarket Cemetery at 112 Main St. N. at the cenotaph located there. The ceremony will start at about 10:40 a.m., with the Newmarket Citizens Band also participating.
Newmarket Veterans’ Association member Wes Playter said the event has a long history, having taken place at the cemetery since the 1940s with the Newmarket Veterans Association being one of the oldest in Canada.
Cook encourages residents in Newmarket to donate to the ongoing campaigns.
“Please participate and come and join us,” Cook said. “Just to spend a few minutes remembering those sacrifices.”
