10 must-know things about the poppy
Posted November 3, 2014 4:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
According to the Royal Canadian Legion, the person credited for the adoption of the poppy in Canada and the Commonwealth was Lt.-Col. John McCrae of Guelph, Ont., who was a Canadian medical officer in the First World War.
He penned In Flanders Field, the 13-line poem whose reference to the poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who die in battle.
Below are 10 must-know things about the lapel poppy.
1. What does the poppy represent?
Since July 5, 1921, the poppy has stood as a symbol of remembrance in Canada.
2. The poppy symbol is a registered trademark of Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion. The trademark was registered June 30, 1948.
3. The Royal Canadian Legion are the “Guardians of Remembrance,” keeping the memory of 117,000 men and women who sacrificed their lives in defence of Canada’s freedoms.
4. The annual Poppy Campaign distributes 18 million poppies in Canada each year.
5. An estimated $14.5 million is donated annually by the Canadian public.
6. When is a poppy worn?
The poppy is worn during the remembrance period, which begins on the last Friday of October and ends on Nov. 11.
7. How is the poppy worn?
It should be worn on the left breast close to the heart. It should be removed immediately following the Remembrance Day ceremony. The poppy can also be worn at other commemorative events during the year such as the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of Britain.
8. How are the donations used?
The legion is in charge of the disbursements and the Poppy Trust Fund uses include:
- assisting Canadian Forces vets and their families;
- housing accommodation or care facilities;
- senior services;
- relief of disasters;
- day trips for veterans;
- support of cadet units.
9. What colour is the poppy’s centre?
The centre of the poppy was originally black but changed to green in 1980. In 2002 it was changed back to black to reflect the colours of the poppy in Flanders.
10. Are there other types of poppy?
The Legion has a metal lapel poppy pin with the words “We Remember.” A poppy sticker is also available.
Data compiled using the 2013 Poppy Manual
