Sault businesses asked to honour vets with window displays (4 photos)

Due to COVID-19, the Royal Canadian Legion and communities across Canada will not be able to observe Remembrance Day and pay tribute to veterans and fallen comrades in the traditional way Nov. 11.

With that in mind, the Sault's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 will be holding a ‘We Remember’ Display Challenge from Oct. 30 to Nov. 11.

“Many local businesses do put displays in their storefronts, which is greatly appreciated. This year, more than ever, we would like to see more businesses take up the challenge. Therefore, we call on all businesses, big and small, to consider putting a display in your window or inside your business,” wrote Debbie Rouleau, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 public relations officer, in a news release.

“We will involve the community of Sault Ste. Marie to help provide feedback on which displays merit a special mention.”

Branch 25 members will be visiting various businesses to take photos which could be displayed on the 2021 Legion Calendar and the Legion’s Dispatch (the Legion’s monthly newsletter).

“We know the people of Sault Ste. Marie are committed to paying homage to our veterans serving across this great country and beyond, and to our fallen comrades through the ages. Thank you on behalf of all of them, for your support of this campaign and supporting the 2020 Poppy Campaign,” Rouleau wrote.

The annual Poppy Campaign kicks off at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 30 with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in front of the Sault Ste. Marie Court House on Queen Street.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 members and invited guests, including the mayor, MP and MPP, will be in attendance.

Poppy boxes will be distributed to local businesses, the Legion asking the people of the Sault for their generous support, especially this year.

Money raised from the Legion’s annual Poppy Fund campaign (both locally and nationwide) is the only fundraising event the organization holds, all funds raised going toward veterans facing homelessness, food insecurity, operational stress injury and the application process for receiving government benefits. Donated funds also support veterans' families and communities. 

As reported earlier, special arrangements have been made to mark an altered, COVID-conscious Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph.