Battlefords Legion President Paula Kulyk pins the first poppy of the poppy campaign season on Ron Falcon on Fri., Oct. 25. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff).

By Julia Lovett-Squires

First Poppy

Battleford Legion honours vet with first poppy pinning

Oct 26, 2024 | 3:05 PM

In a special ceremony downstairs in the Battleford Legion Branch 9, a peacekeeper was honoured Friday afternoon.

As the first poppy of the Poppy Campaign season was being placed on the left lapel of his uniform, Veteran Ron Falcon smiled.

Falcon, who served as a radar technician during peacetime all over the world in places like Barbados, Holland, Africa and Ireland will also be receiving his pin for his combined 50 years of service on Remembrance Day.

“I was very excited about that but very proud too,” he said.

As a small group of legion members and veterans looked on, Branch President Paula Kulyk thanked him and asked him to accept the poppy as a symbol of remembrance before bowing her head to recite the fourth stanza from Laurence Binyon’s Poem “For the Fallen” in prayer.

National

Canadian Indigenous leaders call Biden's apology for residential schools 'first step'

3h ago

Battlefords North Stars

Schoenborn comes in clutch in win against Ice Wolves

15h ago

Thunder Rapids manhunt

Outfitter near manhunt says suspects needed shelter to deal with cold

Oct 25, 2024

“We will remember,” she finished to which the group replied in kind.

The veteran said when he was first called about Friday’s ceremony, he said he nervous about the idea.

Kulyk said it was important to recognize those who served.

“I look at members of that age group and they are the foundation – they’re our foundation that we build on,” she said.

“We look to them for stories, we look to them for rituals.”

Falcon’s combined service included his military service along with service to the legion in both Maidstone and in Battleford, the latter of which he has been a part of for six years.

“It becomes not about us, it becomes about the veterans past, present,” she said.

“I was honoured. Honoured absolutely [to] carry out that ritual to make it all about our veteran.”

The president explained this was the first time in a number of years that the pinning ceremony has happened in Battleford and having other legion members and veterans come out to witness added to the event.

“Going forward, I would like to see local pinning of the poppy every year,” she said.

“Hopefully, we have enough veterans to continue that.”

—

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: jls194864