“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses row on row…”
(Lietuenant-Colonel John McCrae – May 3, 1915)
Since the infamous poem by Canadian John McCrae was first published in 1915, the poppy has become synonymous with the Royal Canadian Legion.
The annual campaign distributes poppies to Canadians as a symbol of remembrance and respect for Veterans. While the poppies are free, donations are encouraged, with all proceeds supporting Veterans and their families.
Wanda Lavergne with the Pembroke Chapter #72 of the RCL who is partly responsible for the annual Poppy Campaign tells us when we first saw this here in Pembroke:
Sherry Wilson with the RCL says that preparations for the annual campaign begin well ahead of the actual distribution time of October as it’s become a major annual undertaking:
Funds raised b Legion Chapters across the country have reached as high as 20 million dollars annually and continue to be the number one source of revenue for the Legion country wide.
Wilson says that she is often asked about where all the funds go and the answer is quite simple actually:
Wilson stresses that many of the Veterans who have served our Country sometimes fall on hard times and income from the poppy sales is there for those who need it most:
When this October rolls around and you begin to see poppies for sale by the RCL, please wear one with pride and help those who have kept us free.
This has been instalment 1 of 5 for the “104 Hearts Royal Canadian Legion Moment” series. Tune in tomorrow for instalment 2.
Please visit the link below to see how you can contribute.
(Written By: Richard Evans)