The Pinning of the First Poppy at CFB Esquimalt

Base Commander Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside, pins a poppy onto Syvlia Vink, 1st Vice President and Poppy Chair of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 172 at the first poppy pinning ceremony held at the Chiefs & Petty Officers’ Mess, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt on Oct. 25.
Photo: Sailor 1st Class Brendan McLoughlin, MARPAC Imaging Services.

The last Friday of every October officially marks the opening of Remembrance for  the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). And for CFB Esquimalt, the two weeks leading up to Nov. 11 signify the official beginning of Remembrance with the Pinning of the First Poppy Ceremony.

“It’s small and simple, but it’s meaningful”, said Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Sue Frisby, CFB Esquimalt Base Chief in her opening remarks. “It’s important we continue to recognize this time of year and all the sacrifices that have gone before us, and those that are around us still.”

The event was held at the Chief & Petty Officers’ Mess where members representing different parts of the CAF stood at the front of the room, at attention, waiting to receive their poppy.

It’s tradition for the Base Commander to pin poppies on those soldiers, as well as the civilians and volunteers attending. Captain (Navy) (Capt (N)) Whiteside opened the ceremony by greeting all those in attendance and thanked them for being there. But before he could start the pinning ceremony, Sylvia Vink took the honour to pin his poppy first.

Vink is the Poppy Chair of Esquimalt 172 Royal Canadian Legion (RCL). For 13 years she’s been organizing this ceremony and managing the Poppy Campaign. The Campaign is the RCL’s way of commemorating the sacrifice of all 120,000 Canadian soldiers who have given their lives during war and subsequent operations throughout Canada’s military history.

Capt (N) Whiteside noted how he loved the diverse representation of uniforms in attendance.

Constable Ian Diack, with the Victoria Police Department, was one such uniform. As Esquimalt’s Community Resource Officer, he said he was “very privileged and honoured” to attend.

Amongst the military uniforms that day were a sea of purple and yellow vests worn by members of the Lions of Canada. Right after the ceremony, people like Gary and Alana, who’ve been Lion members for 40 years, and who have been attending this ceremony for the last six years, will canvas Victoria and hand out  poppies so people can begin their acts of Remembrance.

The first poppy pinning ceremony held at the Chief & Petty Officers’ Mess, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Oct. 25. Photo: Sailor 1st Class Brendan McLoughlin