The poppy stood out loud and proud at Chinook Centre Saturday where veterans, families and the public came out to mark the 2012 Poppy Fund.

The annual event helps raises awareness for a host of services including assistance to ex-service men and women and their dependents.

A parade of marchers kicked off the event, followed by members of the Royal Canadian Legion giving keynote speeches to the crowd of around 400 to 500 people.

Chris Strong is Vice-President of Alberta Command Council Northwest, representing 176 branches of the Royal Canadian Legion throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories said why he’s

“It’s the fundraising we have for the veterans,” Strong said.

“We’re not just talking about WWII or Korean veterans, we’re talking about the young men coming back from peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and any that ever suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” he said.

Poppies are handed out to Canadians on the day the Royal Canadian Legion bestows the first pin to the Lieutenant-Governor, which happened on Wednesday.

The poppy has been a symbol of Canadian veteran remembrance since 1929.