]The poppy, a national icon, is used to keep alive the memory of the 117,000 Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives to keep Canada from oppression.
The Royal Canadian Legion does this through its poppy campaign, which begins the last Friday in October and ends on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.
The campaign distributes lapel poppies to be worn over the heart. Money raised is used to assist veterans and their families. A veteran does not have to be a Legion member to receive assistance from the Legion Poppy Trust Foundation or from Veteran Affairs Canada.
Veterans and their families can apply to the Fergus Legion Branch or to Veterans Affairs, based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, if they need something.
Funds are also used to further the education through school in the form of poster and literary contests. The community also benefits through donations to hospitals, fire departments and the service cadet corps. All money used must be approved by Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Command.
Last year, Legion Branch 275 in Fergus raised close to $38,000. This year is the branch’s 80th anniversary and members are hoping to raise as much or much more through the community’s generosity.
The Royal Canadian Legion website notes the poppy has stood as a symbol of remembrance, a visual pledge to those 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 sacrifice.
