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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 7, 2014 | 22 The signi cance and tradition of the poppy Each November, Poppies blossom on the lapels and collars of over half of Canada's entire population. Since 1921, the Poppy has stood as a symbol of Remembrance, our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations. The Poppy also stands internationally as a "symbol of collective reminiscence", as other countries have also adopted its image to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacri ce. This signi cance of the Poppy can be traced to international origins. The association of the Poppy to those A member of the 1188 Lorne Scots Army Cadets who had been killed in war has existed stands guard at the corner of the Bronte Cenotaph since the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century, over 110 years before being adduring the 2013 Remembrance Day service. Photo by Graham Paine, Metroland Media Group opted in Canada. There exists a record from that time of how thickly Poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. This early connection between the Poppy and battleFuneral Home eld deaths described how elds that by Arbor Memorial were barren before the battles exploded with the blood-red owers after the ght56 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville ing ended. 905.842.2252 Just prior to the First World War, few Steven Reynolds - Funeral Director Poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that Proudly serving oakville & surrounding communities war, the chalk soils became rich in lime in the same location for 35 years. from rubble, allowing "popaver rhoes" to thrive. When the war ended, the lime was quickly absorbed and the Poppy began to disappear again. The person who was responsible more than any other for the adoption of the Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance in Canada and the Commonwealth was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian Medical Of cer during the First World War. Why should I wear a Poppy? When you wear a Poppy or display a wreath, you honour the war dead and help ex-service personnel and their dependents. Who should wear a Poppy? Everyone should be encouraged to wear a Poppy, as it is a way for all Canadians to honour the memory of the thousands of Canadians who gave their lives in the defence of freedom. This freedom, however, also means having the right to chose and it is a person's right not to wear a Poppy if they choose not to. When is a Poppy worn? Traditionally, the Poppy is worn during the Remembrance period, which is from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on 11 November. Poppies may also be worn at other commemorative events throughout the year, such as the Battle of the Atlantic , the Battle of Britain, a memorial service, at a Legion Convention and other similar occasions. The Poppy may also be worn by Colour Parties when on parade and by members attending funeral services for veterans or Ordinary members. How is the Poppy worn? The Poppy is always worn on the left breast, close to the heart. When wearing standard Legion dress, the lapel Poppy is worn on the left lapel immediately above the Legion lapel badge. When wearing summer dress, the lapel Poppy is worn on the shirt, immediately above and centered on the shirt crest. In inclement weather, the lapel Poppy is worn on the left side of the outer garment. Can I attach the Poppy to clothing with another type of pin? There have been many queries related to the wearing of the lapel Poppy, speci cally as it related to using a Canada ag pin or other such fastening device in the center of the Poppy. It is the position of the Legion that the Poppy is the sacred symbol of Remembrance and should not be defaced in any way. No other pin, therefore, should be used to attach it to clothing. While this should be the practice of all Legionnaires, it is recognized that the Legion cannot control its form of wear by the public. It is undoubtedly better to wear a Poppy with a Canadian ag in the center than not to wear a Poppy at all. The best that we can do is to encourage Legionnaires to wear it properly. We Will Always Remember Are other types of Poppies available? The Legion currently has a metal D: 905.849.3265 O: 905.338.3737 lapel Poppy pin with the words" We www.sheilabarry.com Sales Representative Remember" in a bottom banner. A Poppy sticker suitable for wear on clothing is also available. When should a Poppy be reSaleS RepReSentative moved? Please give a moment The lapel Poppy may be worn for those whose throughout the whole of the Remembrance period. However, many moments people place their Poppy at the where based of the cenotaph in respect at taken the end of the Remembrance Day from Ceremony. This is fully acceptable. them. Is the Poppy centre green or black? The centre of the Lapel Poppy was originally black but was changed to green more than 20 years ago. In 2002, the centre was changed back CENTURY 21 MILLER REAL ESTATE LTD. to black to re ect the colours of the Poppies in Flanders ­ a red ower DIR: 416.518.1975 OFF: 905.845.9180 with a black centre. It is intended that the black centre will remain as the standard. to Exceed your Expectations Article from the Royal Canadian Legion. BROKERAGE Independently Owned and Operated Oakview DAVID NEWTON Striving www.davidnewton-homes.com david.newton@century21.ca