The Symbol Of The Poppy

“In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow; Between the crosses, row on row”

Each year, on November 11th, we honour those who have fought and sacrificed through remembrance, reflection, and the donning of a little plastic poppy over our hearts.

As John McCrae wrote, it marks their place in our hearts and minds for all that they did.

The tradition of Remembrance Day began as a way to commemorate the people who lost their lives in WWI, but today, it symbolizes so much more. Brave Canadians continue to serve and sacrifice for our country and veterans are still being created every day.

That is why the poppy is not only a symbol of remembrance – each year, the Poppy Campaign of the Royal Canadian Legion raises millions of dollars to support veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and their families.

Your small donation goes directly to create grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication and medical equipment. They provide emergency shelter or assistance, housing accommodation and care facilities.

These funds are used for Veteran Transition Programs, transportation, reading programs and day trips. When you donate, you can be the reason a veteran receives accessibility modifications to assist with a disability, or the reason their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren receive an educational bursary.

Community drop-in centres, meals-on-wheels, senior services, medical training, medical research and so much more are all made possible through the poppy.

As you proudly wear your poppy this year, reflect on the things you’re grateful for and remember those who have gone on before “in Flanders Fields”.

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.