Huron County, Ontario – The Huron County Museum is pleased to partner with the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter in Goderich to commemorate the IODE’s 120th anniversary by draping poppies over the Museum’s Sherman Tank this Remembrance Day.
The IODE was started 120 years ago, to help during the Boer War, and the group has since supported Canadian war efforts in a variety of ways. To celebrate this special anniversary, the local chapter spearheaded a project to crochet and knit over 3,000 poppies that will be sewn onto netting and draped over the tank as a tribute to Canada’s fallen soldiers from Oct. 28-Nov. 11, 2021.
The Royal Canadian Legion is also commemorating an historic milestone as 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy being recognized as Canada’s lasting symbol of remembrance.
“We never anticipated how this project would spark the whole community to participate, from Alzheimer’s Society, seniors’ residences, church-based groups, local individuals and Facebook friends throughout Huron County and beyond,” said Ann-Marie Becke, of the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter, acknowledging the many volunteers who came forward to help knit and crochet the poppies.
The installation of the poppies will take place at the Museum on Oct. 28 and the media is invited to visit the site at 11:30 a.m. to take photos.
For more information, contact IODE Communications Coordinator Heather Ball at 519-524-7876, or Huron County Museum Curator of Engagement and Dialogue Sinead Cox at 519-524-2686.
The County of Huron asks the community to continue respecting all public health guidelines, including performing hand hygiene, practicing physical distancing, wearing masks and staying home if ill. Stay informed on the COVID-19 situation in Huron County by visiting the Huron-Perth Public Health website.