Articles

THE POPPY CAMPAIGN

THE POPPY...THE FLOWER OF REMEMBRANCE

Each November, millions of poppies blossom in Canada. Since 1921 they have
blossomed on the jackets, dresses and hats of nearly half the Canadian population.
The poppy is the symbol that individuals use to show that they remember those
who were killed in the wars and in peace keeping operations that Canada has been involved in.

The association of the poppy with those who had been
killed in war had existed for at least 110 years prior to
being adopted in Canada. There are records of a correspondent
who, during the Napoleonic Wars, wrote of
how quickly poppies grew over the graves of soldiers
in the area of Flanders, France.

The person, who was responsible more than any
other, for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario,
a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War.
He came away from Ypres with thirteen lines scrawled
on a scrap of paper which started: “In Flanders fields the
poppies blow...” These lines are enshrined in the innermost
thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear them.
John McCrae was their voice.

In the United States, a woman named Moina Michael
was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when
she started wearing a poppy in memory of the thousands
who died on the battlefield. The American Legion was
inspired to adopt the poppy as the symbol of Remembrance.
During a 1920 visit to the United States a French
woman, Madame E. Guerin, learned of the custom. On
her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies
to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas
of the country.

In Canada, the poppy was officially adopted by the
Great War Veterans’ Association in 1921, following the
example of Mme. Guerin. There is little doubt that the
impact of John McCrae’s poem influenced this decision.
Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear poppies
each November, the little red plant has never died,
nor have Canadians failed to remember the extreme sacrifices
that 116,031 of their countrymen made on behalf
of future generation.

POPPY FUNDS

The distribution of poppies and the sale of wreaths during
the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Day raises
the funds necessary for the Legion to operate Service
Bureaux which act as advocates for veterans, ex-service
people and their dependants seeking compensation from
the Government for service incurred disabilities. Every
year in excess of one million dollars of the money collected
as a result of the annual Poppy Campaign is also
used for direct assistance for ex-service people and their
dependants in financial distress. Examples of the uses
Poppy Funds are: payments for food, accommodation,
utilities, clothing, educational assistance, furniture, medical,
dental and optical services, and hospital comforts.
The funds are a blessing for the many thousands helped.

The beneficiaries of aid from the Legion’s Poppy
Fund are not limited to veterans and ex-service members.
Over the years, many millions of dollars have been
given to worthy charities or spent providing the aged and
disabled with medical assistance and equipment, mealson-
wheels, transportation, shelter and clothing. Funds are
also provided for disaster relief. The Legion helps nonmembers
and members alike, wherever need arises.

Since the workers who carry out the Poppy Campaign
are volunteers from Legion membership, campaign
expenses are limited largely to the cost of supplies, such
as the manufacturing of the poppies and wreaths. The
money collected is held in trust and cannot be spent on
anything other than purposes specifically authorized in
the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion.
Costs associated with branch, provincial, and Dominion
Command operations are covered by dues paid by the
membership.