Remembrance Day in Canada
The Story of the Poppy - Day 35 - Daily Content Challenge
Today is Remembrance Day in Canada.
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony commemorates all who served in Canada’s military. November 11 is similar to Armistice Day, Veterans Day or Anzac Day in other countries.
Commonwealth countries have observed Remembrance Day since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the poppy by Canadian veterans to mark war, loss and the obligation of remembrance.
The reason the poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day is because it is the flower that grew on the battlefields after World War One ended. This is described in John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Beneath the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely 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.
Madame Anna Guérin of France was inspired by John McCrae's poem. Anna had originally founded a charity to help rebuild regions of France torn apart by the First World War, and created poppies made of fabric to raise funds. Later, Anna presented her concept to France’s allies, including the precursor to The Royal Canadian Legion, The Great War Veterans Association. The idea was considered at a meeting in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) and was adopted on July 6, 1921.
Today, the Poppy is worn each year during the Remembrance period to honour Canada's Fallen.
# lest we forget 2021 Â # thankful
