Remembrance activities underway in Leduc

LEDUC -- Local members of the Royal Canadian Legion are fundraising for veterans through this year's Poppy Campaign.

The annual campaign kicked off on Oct. 24, 2026, and aims to support local veterans and their families while honouring their sacrifices and contributions to Canada. Leduc Branch 108 employs a number of volunteers at this time of year to put together and distribute numerous poppy boxes across the local region. Mike Hache talks about the importance of this work.

"I think it's critically important on a number of levels," said Hache. "First and foremost -- the mission of the legion, and our branch, is to support the veterans and their families who are in need. They can find themselves in difficult situations, and we do what we can to help them or connect them with other agencies. The advocacy part is also very important, because at the end of the day, if we fail to remember our history, and we fail to honour those who have given their lives in support of our country and freedoms we enjoy, then we're going to drift in terms of a society."

For Remembrance Day, there will be two ceremonies in Leduc and one in Beaumont. The first ceremony will take place in front of the cenotaph at the Leduc Civic Centre on Nov. 11 at 9:45 a.m. Following this, the larger ceremony will once again take place at the Leduc Recreation Centre starting at 10:30 a.m. This will include speeches from municipal and provincial dignitaries. Beaumont's ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Beaumont Sport and Rec Centre. This will also include the unveiling of Beaumont's new cenotaph.

"Our veterans prominently represent the history of our country," said Hache. "Doing everything we can to assist those who are serving, and those who have given their lives -- the family and the friends. Keeping the advocacy alive throughout the year is a critical part of the fabric of our society in Canada."

At their general meeting on Oct. 1, 2026, the Leduc Branch 108 presented a 50-year membership pin to Comrade Wally McNeil and Certificates of Appreciation to Wendi Weir and retired Branch 108 president Steve Stamhuis. The branch also installed Colin Campbell as a new Vice President.