Bernard & Elizabeth Cormier volunteering for the Legion Poppy Campaign.
At Higgins Insurance, we’re proud to highlight members of our community who dedicate their time and heart to honouring Canada’s veterans. One such person is Bernard Cormier, whose lifelong commitment to service reminds us all of the importance of remembrance.
About Bernard Cormier
Bernard Cormier has a long record of service and leadership in the Saint John community. He served as the City’s Cultural Affairs Officer for 31 years, retiring in 2018.
For over 15 years, Bernard has chaired the Saint John Remembrance Day Committee, overseeing the annual Service of Remembrance held at TD Station on November 11th. He also serves as:
Secretary of the Royal United Services Institute of New Brunswick
Co-Chair of the Service Veterans Group, which meets weekly over lunch
Active member of Lancaster Branch No. 69 of the Royal Canadian Legion
Over his career, Bernard has served on many boards and committees and received numerous awards recognizing his community service. Most recently, he was honoured with the Veterans Affairs Commendation for his work with veterans and commemorations.
Bernard Cormier
What is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day is held every year on November 11th — a national day of reflection to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada’s armed forces.
The date marks the end of the First World War, which officially concluded on November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed. Today, the day serves to commemorate all Canadians who have served in:
The First World War
The Second World War
The Korean War
Peacekeeping missions and other military operations
It’s not only about remembering the fallen, but also honouring the courage, service, and sacrifices of all veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Why the Poppy?
Each year, as Remembrance Day approaches, Canadians wear a red poppy close to their hearts.
This simple flower carries deep meaning. During the First World War, the battlefields of Flanders, Belgium were left barren after months of heavy fighting. Yet amid the devastation, bright red poppies bloomed — a symbol of hope and renewal.
Canadian soldier and physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae immortalized the poppy in his famous 1915 poem, “In Flanders Fields.” His words reminded the world of the sacrifice of those who died and the duty of the living to remember them.
In 1921, the poppy was officially adopted by the Royal Canadian Legion as the emblem of remembrance. Today, wearing the poppy continues to symbolize our gratitude and our collective promise:
We will remember them.
Bernard Cormier with Veterans of the Korean War.
How to Get a Poppy — and Where to Wear It
Poppies are distributed by volunteers of the Royal Canadian Legion beginning in late October. They are not sold, but offered in exchange for a donation that supports veterans and their families.
You can find poppies at:
Local stores and businesses
Community centres
Legion branches
Public events
The poppy should be worn on the left side, over the heart, as a symbol of remembrance held close. Many people wear their poppy until the end of Remembrance Day, then place it on a wreath or at a cenotaph in a final act of tribute.
How Can We Show Respect?
There are many meaningful ways to honour our veterans and show respect on Remembrance Day — and throughout the year:
Pause for two minutes of silence at 11:00 a.m., reflecting on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service.
Wear a red poppy over your heart as a visible sign of remembrance.
Attend a ceremony at your local cenotaph or memorial service.
Teach younger generations about the importance of remembrance.
Thank veterans personally for their service.
Live with kindness, fairness, and peace — the very values they fought to protect.
Each of these gestures helps us honour their memory and uphold our promise:
We will remember them.
Why November 11th? The Moment of Silence
We gather each year on November 11th because it was on this day in 1918 that the guns of the First World War finally fell silent. The Armistice — the agreement to end the fighting — took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
That moment became a symbol of peace and remembrance.
At 11:00 a.m., Canadians pause for two minutes of silence:
The first minute honours those who gave their lives in service.
The second minute honours those who returned — and all who continue to serve today.
In those quiet moments, we remember their courage, their sacrifice, and our shared hope for peace.
Bernard Cormier with Legion Sergeant-at-Arms, Comrade Henry D’Eon at Cedar Hill Cemetery Field of Honour for a Candlelight Service
Lest We Forget.
From all of us at Higgins Insurance, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all veterans, service members, and their families.
“We will remember them.”