BRANCH 255 WINDSOR
"WE STRIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF VETERANS
AND TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY".
BRANCH 255 WINDSOR
"WE STRIVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF VETERANS
AND TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY".
THIS IS A GREAT OPPURTUNITY TO SERVE YOUR VETERANS"
Every year, for about two weeks prior to Remembrance Day November 11th The Royal Canadian Legion conducts the Poppy Campaign. The campaign is designed to raise funds for needy Canadian ex-service members and their dependents as well as Commonwealth veterans of World War II who may be eligible
for assistance.
Poppies are distributed for donations. This venerable symbol of Remembrance is provided for public or personal display as either a lapel poppy, or as included in wreaths, crosses and sprays which are laid at cenotaphs or other memorials at home and abroad. Donations are not mandatory and in some cases—as for example with school children—poppies are distributed solely to perpetuate the tradition of Remembrance among Canadians without
any expectation of remuneration.
The poppies distributed during the Poppy Campaign are intended to remind Canadians of the debt owed to the more than 117.000 Canadians who died in the military, Merchant Navy and Ferry Command services of Canada during two world wars, the Korean War and other theatres throughout the world. Donations received during the campaign are held in trust and, in accordance with the rules established for the trusts, are used throughout the
year to assist needy veterans, ex-service members and their families. Former members of the Commonwealth
and allied military services may also be eligible to receive benefits from these funds.
Poppy emblems were first made in 1922 by disabled veterans under the sponsorship of the Department of
soldiers Civil Re-establishment. Until 1996, poppy material was made at sheltered workshops run by Veterans
Affairs Canada in Montreal and Toronto. The work provided a small source of income for disabled ex-service persons and their dependents, allowing them to take an active part in maintaining the tradition of Remembrance. That mandate has now ended and the manufacturing is being done by a private company.
During the Poppy Campaign some 18 million poppies and 70,000 wreaths, crosses and sprays are distributed
across Canada and overseas annually. More than $8 million in campaign funds are also distributed annually.
Some of the activities supported by donations to Poppy Trust Funds include:
Assisting needy veterans, ex-service members and their families.
The purchase of medical appliances and the provision of medical research bursaries;
Providing bursaries to the children and grandchildren of veterans and ex-service members;
The purchase, construction and maintenance of housing and care facilities for veterans, seniors and disabled persons; The funding of drop-in centers for adults, meals-on-wheels, transport and related services;
Operation of the Dominion Command Service Bureau.
2021 marks the 100th Anniversary of the
Remembrance Poppy in Canada
Madame Anna Guérin, later christened "The Poppy Lady from France", inspired by John McCrae's "In Flanders Fields", had an idea: to adopt the distribution of the Poppy on Armistice Day as a way to raise money for Veterans' needs and to remember those who had given their lives during the First World War.
In July of 1921 the Great War Veterans Association (which in 1925 would unify with other Veteran groups to form the Canadian Legion) adopted the Poppy as the flower of Remembrance.
Since then, the Legion and its members have upheld this tradition of Remembrance.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Remembrance Day is a day for all Canadians to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. It is a day we encourage every individual, young and old, to pause, to give thanks and to remember.
HONOUR AND REMEMBER
The Remembrance Day Ceremony has played a major role in Remembrance since 1931.
Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we gather in memorial parks, community halls, workplaces, schools and homes to stand in honour of all who have fallen.
2020 commemorations will look different from years past. Pandemic restrictions have meant significantly smaller ceremonies, or their outright cancellation. Other gatherings are being replaced with virtual
ceremonies. For the first time ever, people are asked not to attend ceremonies in person.
Nevertheless, the tradition of Remembrance will continue, and Canada’s Fallen will not be forgotten.
The Royal Canadian Legion encourages all Canadians to observe a moment of silence on November 11,
to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.
The Act of Remembrance
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them.We will remember them.
Mark the dates and plan on participating!
The Legion Poppy Campaign is coming up fast . It runs from October 25th until November 11th every year.
We are in need of MANY volunteers to make this another stellar year for our Veterans.
You DO NOT have to be a member to distribute Poppies.
Please plan on helping out .If you would like to volunteer, or you know of any high school students in
need of community hours , please call the Branch and leave your name and phone number at 519-945-2012 .
