Seniors craft 10,000 poppies for Dartmouth display

A heartwarming tribute to Canadian veterans is taking place in Dartmouth, N.S., where a group of seniors has been diligently knitting and crocheting over 10,000 poppies to honor those who have served their country. The stunning display is showcased both inside and outside the Sanctuary Arts Centre, and will soon be moved to Dartmouth’s cenotaph in time for Remembrance Day.

Residents at the Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home, along with community volunteers, have been working on this project every November since 2020. Each year, they add a few thousand more poppies to the display, creating a beautiful and poignant symbol of remembrance.

Chantal Beaulieu, the recreation programmer for Oakwood Terrace, shared that while it has been some time since a veteran lived at the nursing home, many residents have relatives who served in the First and Second World Wars. The project holds a deep, personal significance for them, allowing them to feel like they are contributing to their communities in a meaningful way.

The poppies, all knit or crocheted with care, are a labor of love for the volunteers involved. This year, Beaulieu and her team have added a “wall of honour” featuring the names of modern-day veterans, including David McIntyre, a retired major who served in the Canadian Air Force for 39 years. McIntyre, who often volunteers at Oakwood Terrace, expressed how much the tribute means to him and his family, who have a long history of military service.

The dedication to honoring veterans extends beyond the poppy display, with Beaulieu and McIntyre participating in a Saturday night tribute concert at the arts centre. These events have become cherished traditions that they hope to continue and expand in the years to come.

One resident, Evelyn, stood out for her unwavering dedication to the project in its early years. She would diligently create poppies every morning and night, demonstrating her passion for honoring veterans. Though Evelyn has since passed away, her family gathers every Sunday to make poppies in her memory, a tradition they lovingly refer to as “Evelyn’s Day.”

The poppy display serves as a meaningful reminder of the sacrifices made by Canadian veterans, and the dedication shown by the seniors and volunteers involved in creating it is a testament to the enduring spirit of remembrance and gratitude in the community.