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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2007 11THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 200710 Acton Legion - Branch 197 Wright Ave, Acton Would like to ask all local Businesses & Residents to observe the 2 minute wave of silence at 11:00am EST. on November 11 Georgetown Kia Superstore 199 Guelph Street Georgetown, ON L7G 4B5 Tel: (905) 877-8375 Fax: (905) 877-2818 Customer Service: 1-877-937-5427 Email: dwatson@georgetownkia.com www.georgetownkia.com Acton BIA, Mill St E, Acton L7J 2M2 853-9555 DOWNTOWN ACTON Remember all those that lost their lives Aldo Braida B.A. L.L.B. Barrister & Solicitor 69 Mill St. E Acton 28 Paisley St. Guelph Phone: 519-824-2242 Fax: 519-824-3049 We will Always Remember Ted Arnott, MPP Wellington Halton Hills On Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the Canadians who serve today, and those who have served their country in battle and in peacekeeping operations around the world. We shall never forget their sacrifi ce. Tel.: (519) 853-4144 ACTON AUTO TECH 45 Main Street North Acton, Ontario L7J 1W3 All Your Car & Truck Needs. CAA Approved Dr ive Clean Facility LEST WE FORGET Mayor Rick Bonnette and Members of Council convey their respect and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our Canadian men and women, at home and overseas, who served their country in times of war As Remembrance Day approaches, donation boxes full of poppies appear on store counters, and its rare to see someone not wearing one pinned on the left side of their jackets over their heart. Poppies have always been a sign of respect for all veterans who have fought in wars. But why the Poppy? Why not the carnation or the rose? The Poppy has existed since the 19th century, dur- ing the Napoleonic Wars, 110 year before it was ad- opted by Canada. There are records stating how thickly Poppies grew over the graves of fallen soldiers in Flanders, France. It is said that there is a connection between the Poppy and battlefield deaths because those fields were barren before the battles and exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. Before the First World War, hardly any Poppies grew in Flanders. Due to tremendous bombardments during WWI, the chalk soils became rich with lime from rubble. When the war ended, the lime was absorbed into the soil and Poppies began to appear again. Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was the person responsible for Canada adopt- ing the Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance Day. He was a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War, and in May of 1915, on the day following the death of his fellow soldier Lt. Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, McCrae wrote his famous poem, In Flanders Fields to express his anguish over the loss of his friend and a reflection of his surroundings of wild Poppies and wooden crosses marking graves. 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 brave- ly 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. John McCrae McCraes poem was published in England on December 8, 1915 and has been read at Remembrance Day services in Canada since 1920. On July 1921, The Great War Veterans Association of Canada (the predecessor of The Royal Canadian Legion) officially adopted the Poppy as its Flower of Remembrance. Now, well over half of Canadas population wears the Poppy on their lapel as a sign of respect for our fallen soldiers. History of poppies a long one It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the veteran, not the poet, who had given us the freedom of speech. It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to assemble. It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the veteran who salutes the flag. It is the veteran who serves under the flag. Eternal rest grant them O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them. A Remembrance Day Poem ROCKWOOD WREATH - Members of the Legion placed wreaths at the Rockwood the Rockwood Cenotaph on November 3rd - Submitted Photo Justina Pembleton