Significance of the poppy and why we remember

Armistice Day or Remembrance Day originated following the end of the First World War, when an agreement was signed between Germany and the Allied Forces in Paris on Monday, November 11, 1918.

The ceasefire went into effect at 1100 hours the same morning; the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

The first Armistice Day was observed in 1919, and King George V sent a letter to the House of Commons in Canada that read:

“Tuesday next, November 11, is the first anniversary of the armistice, which stayed the world-wide carnage of the four proceeding years, and marked the victory of right and freedom…During that time, except in rare cases where this may be impractical, all work, all sound and all locomotion should cease, so that in perfect stillness the thoughts of every one may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.”

Today, each November, poppies adorn the lapels and collars of Canadians in remembrance to honour Canada’s fallen.

The first person who introduced the poppy as a sign of remembrance to Canada was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario who was a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War.

Yet, the significance of the poppy can be traced back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, 110 years before it was adopted as a sign of remembrance in Canada.

According to the Goderich Legion Branch 109 records from that time indicated how thick poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in Flanders, France.

The records from that time stated that fields barren before battled exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended during the Napoleonic Wars.

It wasn’t until May 1915 when John McCrae penned the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ on a scrap of paper on the day following the death of a fellow soldier. Since 1915, those 13 lines would become enshrined in the hearts and minds of all who would wear them.

Following a series of events since the poem including an American teacher, Moria Michaels, who made a pledge to always wear a poppy as a sign of remembrance, and a French woman, Madame E. Guerin, who learned of the custom and made and sold poppies to raise money for children in war-torn areas of France, the poppy was officially adopted as the Flower of Remembrance on July 5, 1921.

In alignment with Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day as it has come to be known, originated following the end of the First World War, wearing poppies during the remembrance period is a sacred tradition.

Now, the poppy is worn in remembrance on the left side, over the heart from the last Friday in October until November 11, Remembrance Day.

According to the Legion, there is a guide on appropriate and respectful wearing of the lapel poppy. The Legion’s lapel poppy is a sacred symbol of remembrance and should not be affixed with any pin that obstructs the red flower.

Although worn during the remembrance period, the Legion encourages the wearing of poppies at funerals of Veterans, and for any commemorative event such as a memorial service or the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Following the remembrance period of November 11, the Legion stresses that the poppy should be removed, and some choose to place their poppy on the cenotaph or on a wreath as a sign of respect.

While poppies are always free, the Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund, which directly supports Canada’s Veterans and their families in need.

For those Canadians living outside the country, they can get a poppy from Royal Canadian Legion Branches in the U.S., Mexico, Germany and the Netherlands, or through their Canadian Embassy or Consulate.

As this remembrance period approaches, wear a poppy to honour those who fell with the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in freedom and peace.

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow,

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.”

Lt.-Colonel John McCrae