SOUND OFF: Celebrating the poppy and the work of our Legions this Remembrance Day

WITH REMEMBRANCE DAY UPON US, it’s an important time to reflect on the sacrifice of all those who have served and fought for the freedoms we all enjoy. But 2021 also marks a significant milestone — the 100^th anniversary of the poppy as our national symbol of remembrance.

How did it come to be? It was the vision of Madame Anna Guérin, who was later referred to as ‘The Poppy Lady from France.’ She found herself inspired by John McCrae’s moving poem ‘In Flanders Fields,’ and had the idea to adopt the distribution of the Poppy on Armistice Day to remember the many brave lives lost during the First World War. Her other goal was to raise money to support those veterans who were able to return home.

Her mission grew when 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. This tradition has been upheld by the Legion and its members ever since, and I hope you were able to purchase a poppy this year to support our valued veterans.

We are all grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion and its many chapters in our communities. As we mark another Remembrance Day amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we thank our Legions for their efforts to hold remembrance events safely wherever they’re able. We know some communities have had to limit or cancel observances this year, which is painful for many people — but we certainly hope things will return to normal next year.