It's that time of year again - well, almost.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297 will begin its poppy campaign Friday, Oct. 26 with it annual rite of fall, selling the little red badges of honour at area supermarkets and convenience stores.
Ron Racine, chair of the poppy campaign, said the hope is that the fundraiser - the biggest the legion undertakes every year - will at least match the $47,000 that was hauled in last year.
"We're hoping," he said in an interview. "The citizens of Cornwall have always been generous to us."
Thirteen local stores - mostly supermarkets and the like - will see legion reps out front selling the poppies, while many convenience stores throughout the city and area will have small stations where people can make a donation and pick up a poppy.
"It continue to be important because we are still helping veterans and their widows," said Racine. "There's really no reason for people not to be able to get a poppy."
Plans for Rememberance Day will include a solemn march by legion members from the branch headquarters at Second and Cumberland streets to the cenotaph a few blocks away where wreaths will be laid.
Racine said because Nov. 11 falls on a Sunday this year, he would like to see more parents bring their children to the ceremony, as schools will not be making the trip this year.
"They are more than welcome," he said.
