Some veterans in Rawdon, Que. were asked to leave a polling station during the municipal elections on the weekend for soliciting. The members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 198 were trying to sell poppies at College Champagneur on Queen Street until they were asked to leave. “The manner it happened wasn’t the best,” said legion member Neil Asbil. “We’re maybe a little too passionate in trying to approach people and explain to them about the poppy, and some people are not overly receptive.” One member started approaching people in line on election day and they were asked to leave. Technically, selling poppies at a polling station is illegal. “Even if the cause is good and noble, you just can’t do it,” said Rawdon Mayor Raymond Rougeau, who won Sunday’s vote by 758 votes. Rougeau said, however, that the incident was blown out of proportion and wishes the staff at the polling centre had handled it differently. “It’s making a mountain out of a mole hill. It was a big misunderstanding. There was never an intention of disrespect for the veterans,” he said. The legion agrees, but still feels that it is an opportunity to remind people of the importance of the poppy. “It’s critically important that we remember where those freedoms come from. Freedom isn’t a given. Sometimes it has to be won,” said Absil. While poppies are worn in November to commemorate soldiers who lost their lives serving Canada, for veterans, they hold more significance. “The donations that come in for a poppy, they help veterans,” said Navy veteran Kenneth Johnson. “They helped me personally. It’s very dear to my heart.” Johnson served in the Navy for 20 years. When he came home, he was sick, and the poppy fund helped him pay off his mortgage when he was unable to work. “It saved me,” he said. “We’re still losing people. And veterans are coming back from combat zones who can barely function. And it helps them.” “Even the ones who came back, some of them aren’t quite right ever again,” said Absil. “We owe them a debt of gratitude. And that’s what the Poppy is to remind us of.” Legion 198 is hoping the incident at the polling station ends up encouraging people to support the poppy campaign.
