What Does Remembrance Day Mean for the Antigonish Legion?
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Photo: Catherine Poag, Arts & Community Columnist
This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with the President of the Antigonish Legion, James Matheson, in the lead up to Remembrance Day. During my time spent with Mr. Matheson, I learned about what the Legion does in the community surrounding Remembrance Day, how they help veterans from local communities, and a little bit about Mr. Matheson’s time with the army and navy.
The Legion starts off their Remembrance Day season with a national project called ‘The Poppy Campaign.’ This year’s Poppy Campaign started on October 25, with the help of a few StFX students. The money made from poppies sales during this campaign goes to the Poppy Trust Fund, which supports veterans and their families and helps with things like medical bills or hearing aids.
“The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, it means everything, and you wear it with pride, and when you wear it you think about the people you fought with.”
Money from the fund also goes towards supporting the local cadets, and helps with education. A great thing about the Poppy Trust Fund is that funds that are raised locally, stay local. Last year, about 16 million dollars were raised nationally and almost two million poppies were distributed. Poppies are the biggest symbol shown on Remembrance Day, so I asked Mr. Matheson what the poppy means to him. His reply was that “the poppy is a symbol of remembrance, it means everything, and you wear it with pride, and when you wear it you think about the people you fought with.”
The Legion does many things to give back to the veterans who fought for this country. The Legion members visit veterans at the hospital, and support the local caravan, which is a transportation service to help get veterans around. Matheson is also a veteran. He did 26 years of service, mostly with the Navy, and some time with the Army. He did a tour in Afghanistan and a tour in Israel. He visited over 40 different countries and worked with people all over the world. The military had a huge impact on his life. He was away a lot as he sailed with the Navy for six years, being away from home for two thirds of the time. He continues to give back to other veterans with the great work the Antigonish Legion does for veterans in the community.
The Legion is also engaged with local schools. The schools run a contest, with the help of the Legion, for a poster and essay contest with a Remembrance Day theme. Small prizes are given to the winner, along with the opportunity to continue in the contest against other schools. The Legion members also visit the schools in the community leading up to Remembrance Day to help with their Remembrance Day ceremonies, and help the children remember those who fought.
“I did a tour in Afghanistan and in my tour, we lost over 20 people, so I think of them and of the other people who have served and come back and passed since then, so it is a the time of memory.”
Matheson became President of the Legion two and a half years ago. He first joined the Antigonish Legion eight years ago, and since then, many things have changed. Now, the Antigonish Legion is the busiest branch in Nova Scotia. The Legion moved to a new building a year and a half ago, and shares the building with CACL, which is the first time for something like that to happen at a branch in Canada.
In my conversation with Mr. Matheson, I was interested in finding out what Remembrance Day means to a veteran. His response was that “for me Remembrance Day is a time to think, it is kind of a sad time because you think of the people you served with who passed away. I did a tour in Afghanistan and in my tour, we lost over 20 people, so I think of them and of the other people who have served and come back and passed since then, so it is a the time of memory.”
This Monday, November 11, members of the Legion will be remembering their friends, family members, neighbours, and strangers as they participate in the parade in Chisholm Park. The public is welcome to join the Antigonish Legion members in remembering those who fought for this country.
