Barrhead Legion changes the way they sell wreaths

BARRHEAD - The Barrhead Royal Canadian Legion is changing how they sell wreaths.

Instead of giving individuals and businesses a physical wreath, the Legion will provide people with a framed certificate acknowledging the purchase and supporting the Legion's poppy drive. The certificate sports a photo of the wreath that is purchased.

The wreath then gets placed at the Cenotaph during the community's Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Depending on the wreath size, prices range from about $40 to $100.

Past Legion president Chuck Mortimer said the chapter decided

"The Legion did not make much from the sale," he said. "When we first sell a wreath, we don't make any money from it. The second year, we do, and the third year, it is garbage because they deteriorate and get damaged."

The money raised from selling wreaths goes towards the Legion's Poppy Fund. Wreaths range from about $40 to $100, depending on the size and type.

"The money [the Legion gets from wreath and poppy sales] goes to helping veterans in difficulty through our assistance programs," Mortimer said. "That is what it is all about, raising money so the Legion can help care for veterans."

So far, Mortimer said, the response, at least from his experience, has been positive.

"I think they understand why we are doing this, and the businesses, particularly, like the idea of having something they can display year-round showing their support of the Legion," he said. 

Those wishing to purchase a wreath can contact Mortimer at 780-674-9637.

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Barrhead and Fort Assiniboine

The Barrhead ceremony will be a primarily indoor affair.

The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 in Barrhead Composite High School's (BCHS) East Gym and end shortly after 11 a.m. after playing the last post. It will conclude with laying the wreaths in the gym. 

Members from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton will also be in attendance after a march from the Legion to the high school.

Barrhead Pentecostal Church lead pastor Ben Kellert will deliver the Remembrance Day message.

After the service, volunteers will move the wreaths from BCHS to the Cenotaugh.

Barrhead Royal Canadian Legion president Chuck Mortimer said they chose to have the entire service inside due to the weather's unpredictability.

Given the age of many of Barrhead's veterans, he also noted that it was becoming more challenging to walk from the school to the Cenotaugh in War Memorial Park to lay the wreaths.

After the ceremony, people are invited to the Legion for a lunch provided by Freson Bros.

Mortimer said that the Legion's downstairs lounge (which serves alcohol) and the upstairs will be open most of the afternoon.

In Fort Assiniboine, a hybrid indoor/outdoor ceremony starts inside the Legion and is conducted by a guest Legion padre at 10:30 a.m. Shortly before 11 a.m., the colour guard leads attendees outside for the Act of Remembrance, playing the Last Post, two minutes of silence, and laying wreaths. 

The ceremony will conclude back in the Legion Hall. 

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com