Preparations for Esquimalt's annual Remembrance Day ceremony are underway, spearheaded by members of Esquimalt-Dockyard Branch 172 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The special red flower-pins will be available by donation until Nov. 10 at businesses in the township once legions across Canada raise the poppy flag today (Oct. 28) at noon.
Money generated from the poppy campaign goes to the Royal Canadian Legion's poppy fund in support of veterans and their families, who may be in need of items such as mobility devices, said Barbara MacFarlane, the branch's poppy chairperson.
Funding also allows the legions to distribute Christmas food hampers to people in need, including struggling families of veterans, she said.
On Nov. 11, Esquimalt residents will gather for the Remembrance Day parade, which leaves the Legion parking lot at 10:40 a.m. The ceremony, held in Memorial Park across from municipal hall at 1229 Esquimalt Rd., will begin at 11 a.m.