DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA – Lush, manicured wreaths are unloaded from the back of a U-Haul truck. The wreaths are decorated with bright red flowers and purple bows and ribbons. Two large green leaves on each wreath are arranged to form a “V” for veterans.
A white flag is temporarily taped to the side of the truck. It reads: Lest We Forget.
Proud but somber members of the Royal Canadian Legion take the wreaths to a park hillside and carefully place them on stands across from a small, placid lake and charming suburban homes. This is where they are seen along the Remembrance Day Parade route in Dartmouth.
Some 12,000 to 20,000 people, typically including mayor and governor, attend this parade every Nov. 11. Remembrance Day is celebrated throughout the country, where countless other parades are held to honor Canada’s veterans.
Darrell Newcombe, Shop Manager at the U-Haul Dartmouth Shop, donated the use of a U-Haul truck to assist The Royal Canadian Legion. The 2014 event marked the fourth consecutive year that U-Haul Company has transported the wreaths for The Royal Canadian Legion. The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest veteran support and community service organization, and each year it seeks to commemorate veterans by laying wreaths at parade sites.
Bill Avalt, Repair Dispatch Manager at U-Haul Dartmouth Shop, has participated in the laying of wreaths for the past 40 years. He is a Canadian veteran.
“U-Haul definitely makes it easier for The Royal Canadian Legion to honor its veterans on Remembrance Day,” Avalt said.
U-Haul Company is a proud supporter of The Royal Canadian Legion and its commemoration of all Canadian veterans.
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