First Legion poppy of 2015

Details

Published on Saturday, October 31, 2015

Submitted article

Press release

At 11 a.m. Oct. 23 Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon was presented the first poppy of this year’s annual Royal Canadian Legion fundraiser. Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Command poppy chairman Ronn Anderson gave her the symbol in the legislative building. The Poppy Campaign officially starts Friday, Oct.30 when poppies will begin to blossom on the lapels and collars of more than 19 million Canadians. 

Monies collected during the campaign goes into local branch poppy trust funds. These funds can only be used under strict guidelines set up by the Poppy and Remembrance Committee of Dominion Command, to improve life for people in the communities where the money is raised. 

The poppies are intended to honour the more than 117,000 Canadians who have died in the service of their country throughout the world. Since 1921 the poppy has stood as the symbol of remembrance, a visual pledge to never forget those Canadians who have fallen in war and military support operations. The poppy also stands internationally as a symbol of collective reminiscence, as other countries have also adopted its image to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

“Wearing the poppy demonstrates our understanding of Canada’s national debt of gratitude owed to all veterans,” Filmon said. “It will be my honour to accept and wear the campaign’s first poppy as a reminder to always remember the sacrifices so many have made for us.”