JAMES MALONEY THE POPPY STORY
Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. This year is a special year for the poppy. 2021 marks its 100th year as Canada’s symbol of remembrance and gratitude to those who wore a uniform for Canada and it is the 90th anniversary of the first Remembrance Day in Canada. Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.— on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. From 1921 to 1930, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. In 1931, Alan Neill, Member of Parliament for Comox–Alberni, introduced a bill to observe Armistice Day only on November 11. Passed by the House of Commons, the bill also changed the name to “Remembrance Day”. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931, making this year another special anniversary. Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 2,300,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.
legion.ca and send them to me at james.maloney@parl.gc.ca too so I can honour them on my facebook page. The Poppy Campaign itself is very much a local initiative, conducted by Legion Branches in our communities. In the days leading up to November 11, poppies can be seen in every corner of Canada. This initiative would not be possible without the efforts of thousands of Legionnaires who volunteer to distribute the poppies. It all started with Madame Anna Guérin, later christened “The Poppy Lady from France”, who was inspired by John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields”. It was her idea to adopt the distribution of the Poppy on Armistice Day as a way to raise money for Veterans’ needs and to remember those who had given their lives during the First World War. In July of 1921 the Great War Veterans Association (which in 1925 would unify with other Veteran groups to form the Canadian Legion) adopted the poppy as the flower of Remembrance. Since then, the Legion and its members have upheld this tradition of remembrance and every year, it is a small way to say thanks to veterans. Lest we forget.
Who do you Remember? You can submit your photo and words in our Gallery of Remembrance in honour of the Veterans in your life at www.
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JAMES MALONEY
Member of Parliament Etobicoke-Lakeshore james.maloney@parl.gc.ca
