From his post outside of Scotiabank, we spoke with Peter Cooper who said he was there because of his father.
“My father, William Cooper, was in World War 2. He was in the British Army and he was a minesweeper. And he survived.”
Cooper explained that mine sweepers were sent out ahead of troops to search for mines with a metal detector.
They would then dig them up and deactivate them.
After the war, Coopers family bought a cottage on Eels lake and then moved to the area full time when his father retired.
“My dad used to sell poppies here. When he passed away, I took over for him.”
Peter Cooper says, like his father, he is now a member of the Bancroft Legion.
Heather Brown recently moved to the area. She is a retired geologist and class C military reservist who served twice in Afghanistan.
“I’m doing this because, well, I’m new to Bancroft and I joined the Legion to meet some people and get a bit more involved, but also because I feel it’s a very good cause.”
Brown noted the generosity she encounters volunteering for the poppy campaign.
“There’s so many people who will give some change and not even take a poppy. They’ll say ‘Oh I have so many in my car, I don’t need one, but I’d like to donate.’ And that’s just really nice.”
Brown also noted that there is a specific way that poppies should be worn.
“The poppies should go on the left-hand side. Over the heart.”
The Poppy Campaign continues until Nov. 11. All funds raised during the campaign go to supporting veterans and their families.
