What started as an idea from Brenda Couckuyt, vice-president and membership chair of the Grand Bend Legion, has grown into a powerful symbol of remembrance and community spirit. Earlier this week, the Legion revealed three handcrafted poppy blankets, each made from thousands of crocheted poppies woven together and mounted on netting.
The initiative began in June, bringing together roughly 30 local volunteers who dedicated countless hours to crocheting and knitting the poppies. As summer progressed, the group gathered weekly to attach the flowers, completing the moving tribute just ahead of Remembrance Day.
Now, one blanket—featuring 1,111 poppies—graces the Grand Bend cenotaph, while the remaining two adorn the Legion’s entrance railings, offering a vivid reminder of unity, gratitude, and the enduring legacy of those who served.
Written by: C. Soares
