Remembrance Day 2020

 Each November, Poppies bloom on the lapels and collars of millions of Canadians. The significance of the Poppy can be traced back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, over 110 years before being adopted in Canada. Records from that time indicate how thick Poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. Fields that had been barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. During the tremendous bombardments of the war, the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing the “popaver rhoeas” to thrive. When the war ended, the lime was quickly absorbed and the Poppy began to disappear again.

The person who first introduced the Poppy to Canada and the Commonwealth was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario, a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War. John McCrae penned the Poem “In Flanders Fields” on a scrap of paper in May, 1915 on the day following the death of a fellow soldier. Little did he know then that those 13 lines would become enshrined in the hearts and minds of all who would wear them. McCrae’s poem was published in Punch Magazine in December of that same year, and the poem later served as inspiration three years later for Moina Michael, an American teacher. Moina Michael made a pledge to always wear a Poppy as a sign of Remembrance.

During a visit to the United States in 1920, a French woman named Madame Guerin learned of the custom. Madame Guerin decided to make and sell poppies to raise money for children in war-torn areas of France. The Great War Veteran’s Association in Canada (our predecessor) officially adopted the poppy as its Flower of Remembrance on July 5, 1921.

Today, the Poppy is worn each year during the Remembrance period to honour Canada's Fallen. The Legion also encourages the wearing of a Poppy for the funeral of a Veteran and for any commemorative event honouring Fallen Veterans. It is not inappropriate to wear a Poppy during other times to commemorate Fallen Veterans and it is an individual choice to do so, as long as it’s worn appropriately.

Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the Legion’s lapel Poppy each November, the little red flower has never died, and the memories of those who fell in battle remain strong.

In Flanders Fields

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.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae
~ May 3, 1915

Canadian Veterans have served throughout history in a broad range of conflicts and situations – from world wars to peacekeeping missions to crises on the homefront. 

The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to honouring and remembering all Veterans, whether they served in theatre or on Canadian soil, whether they kept the peace or fought for peace, whether they found themselves in combat or in support of operations.

Fighting for freedom

The Legion honours and supports Veterans of Canada from all wars – recent and past. 

Afghanistan War

2001 - 2014

Korean War

1950 - 1953

First World War

1914 - 1918

Persian Gulf War

1990 - 1991

Second World War

1939 - 1945

South African War

1899 - 1902

Peacekeeping

Canadian Veterans have protected the rights and freedoms of Canadians and people from countries all over the world through peacekeeping missions. The Legion supports Veterans of missions including Lebanon, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Sudan, and others.

On the Homefront

Many Canadian Veterans have played a critical role in protecting Canadians on the homefront – whether from fires, floods and other threats, these men and women have risked their lives for our safety and protection. 

The Legion also understands the sacrifices of military families, the fathers, sons, mothers and daughters who have endured alongside Canadian Veterans. The Legion strives to support those families through a range of programs and referral services.

Honouring and remembering Canada’s Veterans

The Legion acknowledges the end of conflicts and does not commemorate the start of conflicts. The most sacred day of Remembrance is Remembrance Day. Every year, on November 11, the Legion recognizes all of Canada’s Veterans, serving and retired, and commemorates our Fallen, including the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, Peace Officers, Merchant Navy, and Reserves. On that day, we also honour the families and their losses.

 Canadians often associate The Royal Canadian Legion with Remembrance ceremonies and events. 

Through these initiatives, we honour and remember Canada’s fallen Veterans and help ensure Canadians never forget. 

The Legion is responsible for planning and coordinating annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in communities across the country, including the national ceremony in Ottawa.

For many, our most widely known activity is the annual Poppy campaign that leads up to Remembrance Day. Legion members and other volunteers distribute tens of millions of Poppies, and gratefully accept donations to raise money in support of Veterans and their families.

While November is recognized as a time of Remembrance, for the Legion and for many across the country, Remembrance is a year-long commitment. At any given moment, there are many opportunities available to anyone wishing to show their appreciation for those who served, including:

• Becoming a Legion Member to support Veterans year-round
• Making a donation to the Legion’s Poppy Trust Fund at any Legion Branch
• Saying “Thank you” to a Veteran
• Wearing a Poppy
• Honouring a fallen Veteran on the Legion's Wall of Honour and Remembrance
• Planting Poppy Seeds or growing a garden of Remembrance
• Visiting a cenotaph
• Wearing or displaying commemorative items from the Poppy Store
• Visiting the Canadian War Museum or local history museums if Covid regulations/restrictions permit
• Volunteering to help Veterans, and more!

Most importantly, take a moment now and then to reflect  on the freedoms and peace in your life, and to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for all we have today.