Memorial poppies are being distributed in recognition of the sacrifices borne by the Island’s war veterans and their families.For Royal British Legion caseworker Carol Everson, Remembrance Day observed this Friday is all the more poignant for the dwindling numbers of Bermuda’s “greatest generation”.Only Second World War veterans remain. Together with widows, they number about 260, she said. Explained Mrs Everson, herself a long-serving member of the Bermuda Regiment: “The aim of our charity is the respect, remembrance and welfare of all our war veterans and their widows.”As veterans get older, the group’s resolve only strengthens. Veterans and their families are assisted financially, practically and emotionally, with subsidised transport, home care and regular visits.There are changes afoot for the Legion this year: Mrs Everson is now qualified as an honorary welfare officer with the Royal Air Force, giving her “enormous scope” to access pensions and benefits. “At the moment, I am setting up a pipeline for some of our veterans to get access to subsidised medical treatment in the UK,” she said.Mrs Everson is calling for servicemen and their families to contact her if they believe they may qualify. The group is committed to securing access to military service records, gratuities and medals, as well as lost pensions.The local branch of the Legion a worldwide organisation dedicated to the welfare of former military personnel also hopes to follow the example of Caribbean islands, and establish itself soon under its own charter as the Bermuda Legion.Poppy donations help the charity provide ageing veterans and their families with financial assistance and vital medical care. “Our charity can even airlift veterans when life-threatening circumstances arise,” Mrs Everson said. “We can bring in the air ambulance, which will only come in if you are holding a cheque.”Airlifts are generally not spared for those above the age of 80. For veterans’ emergencies, however, the Legion will cover costs up front.“We used the service recently for one man who required four urgent surgeries,” said Mrs Everson. “A great thing about this service is that veterans can also take part in rehabilitation programmes while they are away, and be returned to the Island in a much better state of health.”The group is also readying for Christmas donations, which range from giving out cards to providing struggling veterans with food hampers and supplies of warm clothing.With the help of volunteers, the group will be fundraising Island-wide throughout this week. They will collect at the rugby festival, and hold a tag day in Hamilton on November 10.“All the money we raise is being kept on the Island for the welfare of our greatest generation, and their families,” Mrs Everson said.The poppy appeal culminates in the Remembrance Day parade on November 11, which will be followed by a lunch for veterans at the Number Six Shed on Front Street. “Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph, and at the War Memorial that honour all the soldiers who served, both men and women.”The event will be a first anniversary for the tablets of soldiers’ names: formally unveiled on December 12 last year, the Memorial is the only one on the Island with the names of all military personnel together combining the black and white units of Bermuda’s once-segregated armed forces.A separate parade will be held in St George’s on November 13.Useful website: www.bermudaregiment.bm.To reach Ms Everson call 238 1045, 519 2212, or 335 8212.