The Preeceville Harvard Air Cadets 606 Squadron canvassed the Town of Preeceville on November 5 to promote wearing poppies prior to the Remembrance Day Service.
"The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day," said Capt. Troy Rogowski of the squadron.
Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of undisturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers, said information from the squadron.
In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as the First World War raged through Europe's heart. Once the conflict was over, the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields, the information said.
The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields, it said. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in the First World War and later conflicts. It was adopted by the Royal British Legion as the symbol for its poppy appeal in aid of those serving in the British Armed Forces.
The air cadet program is open to youths between 12 and 18 years and there is no registration fee.
“There are 30 cadets registered to the program this year,” said Capt. Troy Rogowski. “New cadets to the squadron receive a complete uniform. The new cadets are taught rules and routine drill maneuvers throughout the year by leaders as well as older cadets.
"The purpose of cadets is to develop in youths the attributes of leadership and engage in active citizenship and physical fitness within an environment that stimulates an interest in the Canadian Forces, a release said. The cadets are funded by the Department of National Defense, the Air Cadet League (a civilian non-profit organization), Navy League and the Army League. The motto of the air cadets is “Learn to Serve and Advance.”
Cadets are given the opportunity to travel, go to Camp Saskadet and do a variety of monthly activities, Rogowski said. They also play a part in the community with their attendance and participation in the annual Remembrance Day Service.
"This year the cadets have attended Camp Saskadet during the survival exercise, which is attended by cadets throughout the province. The cadets also participate in sports activities, from curling and volleyball to outdoor exercises," said Rogowski.
