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Soon, a small but important symbol will make its annual appearance — the poppy.
While seeing the flashes of red pinned to the community's lapels always reminds us of those who fought for it, sometimes with long-standing traditions, the details behind the symbolism become hazy. So, why is it a poppy that we wear for remembrance in November?
A Canadian symbol
For Rob Wiebe, the chairman of the Winkler Veteran’s Association and a “proud” member of the Morden Legion, the importance of the poppy begins with history.
“The poppy was first initiated along with Remembrance Day very shortly after WWI, and that ended in 1918, so we've already had more than 100 years since the poppy and Remembrance Day has been a part of Canada,” he says, adding that the symbol of the poppy is also present in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. “It's an international symbol of peace and remembrance, [especially] remembrance — that those that served and gave should not be forgotten. The rights and freedoms that we enjoy today are due mostly to those people that gave their lives and defended our right to have these freedoms.”
While the exact path that the poppy took to becoming a universal symbol of remembrance is somewhat unclear, it is generally accepted that its origins lie with one Canadian named John McCrae and his poem In Flanders Fields, which was written in 1915. McCrae, who served as a major and a surgeon in WWI with the Canadian Field Artillery, was inspired to write the poem when he saw the blood-red poppies spring up on the battlefield during the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium. Soon after, the poem became one of the most important pieces of work from WWI, and the poppy received its symbolic status.
Small boxes, big impact
In addition to promoting remembrance, as poppies have risen in popularity, they have become an important means of supporting veterans.
“We support veterans. That is the primary function of the Legion, and the big goal of the poppy campaign . . . across Canada, across the province, across the Winkler and Morden and all the surrounding communities . . . [is to] support veterans and veterans’ care,” says Wiebe. “The poppies . . . generate funds, which generates care possibility for veterans.”
For Wiebe, being involved in the poppy campaign is more than a casual activity. It’s a way to assist fellow veterans himself.
“Every member of the branch is always encouraged to promote and participate in our poppy campaign, so it's a duty that we have, and it's an obligation that we share,” he says.
Through the combined efforts of veterans and community members, the small donation boxes that are a familiar sight beside baskets of poppies in local establishments make a noticeable impact.
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Wiebe says that last year, funds from the Poppy Fund went to various projects locally, including repairs to the Morden Legion, cleaning and restoring the cenotaph in Morden, supporting the Air Cadet League and the 179 Squadron, and a donation to the Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg.
“Deer Lodge is a hospital that was designated for veterans primarily,” he says. “Any kind of illness or injury that the veterans had, they were encouraged to seek out help at the Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg. That's been a cause for support for many, many Legions and funds generated from the poppy campaign are always used for that.”
For Wiebe, seeing how much support goes into the poppy campaign each year is heartening.
“Purchasing a poppy is always a blessing. It's amazing to see how many people will donate money. A poppy costs maybe five cents to make, and yet the people have no problem putting in a dollar,” he says. “It's amazing. Further to that, anytime you want to help with the poppy campaign, contact a Legion branch and particularly ours in Morden, and ask to talk to the poppy chair. I'm sure that ways to donate and ways to help and volunteer are always available.”
In the end, the poppy is a symbol with deep Canadian roots that continues to promote remembrance. It has also become a means through which the community can support initiatives for veterans that make a difference year-round. In the poppy, we unite care for veterans both past and present.
See the Morden Legion’s website to keep up-to-date on its events.
~With files from Alexander Peters~