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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Wearing a poppy in November is a sign of respect and remembrance for Canadian Forces veterans past and present.

Mayor-elect Mark Heyck pins a poppy on Lt.-Col. Francois Laniel, commanding officer of Joint Task Force North headquarters, on Friday. - photo courtesy of Capt. Trevor Henderson

As an acting Canadian Forces member, Naval Lt. Paul Pendergast said seeing someone wearing a poppy fills him with a feeling of pride.

"The great sacrifice that many veterans made years ago has a connection today," he said. "By being a member of the Canadian Forces I want to carry on the legacy that they left, so I get a great feeling of pride when I see the poppy."

Yellowknife Army Cadets were out in full force on Saturday conducting the first of two poppy-selling waves. This Saturday, army and air cadets will be out in pairs on Yellowknife streets and in area businesses from about 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. selling poppies to the public, said Francine Clouston, president of the Vincent Massey Legion Branch No. 164.

Trays of poppies are also being distributed this week to roughly 60 Yellowknife businesses to be sold at cash registers, customer service centres and front desks throughout the city, said Clouston.

Most of the money raised during the poppy drive in Yellowknife stays here and is given to veterans in need, she said. For example, some of the funds raised last year went to buying new glasses for two Yellowknife veterans and one veteran received a chair.

"It's for their benefit, it's for their care, it's for all kinds of extra things that they need that are not covered elsewhere," said Clouston.

Some funds will be donated to federal programs, such as the Afghan Repatriation Program and a program that supplies veterans with artificial limbs, she said.

Before the poppy campaign kicked off on Saturday, the Legion hosted a poppy pinning ceremony at Joint Task Force North Headquarters to honour some of Yellowknife's veterans.

Second World War veteran Douglas "Dusty" Miller was on hand, as well as representatives from younger generations of veterans and current Canadian Forces Members.

The youngest members of the generation of Canadians who fought in the Second World War, dubbed "the greatest generation," are in their eighties, said Pendergast, public affairs officer for Joint Task Force North.

It is now more important than ever to honour these Canadians and ensure that the lessons they learned are passed down to younger generations, he added.

The Second World War ended 67 years ago, yet Pendergast is confident that the messages shared by its veterans will live on.

Over the past several years, he said he has seen even more recognition for these veterans on Remembrance Day.

"The respect that they get, especially from the youth, is heartwarming," he said.

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