By Neha Chollangi, Times-Chronicle
The poppy is a symbol so intrinsically linked to Remembrance Day that we often forget the story of how it began.
Well, it started with a lady by the name of Anna Guérin from France who initially began a charity to rebuild the legions in France after many were destroyed during the First World War.
“She was inspired by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem Flanders Fields, and had the idea to distribute the poppy on Armistice Day (or Remembrance Day), as a way to raise money for veterans’ needs,” said Sandra Holgate, who has presented at the Osoyoos Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony for the past five years alongside her husband Brian Holgate who hosts the event.
While McCrae sparked the deep symbolism that the poppy holds today in his poem describing the crimson flowers growing between the graves of fallen soldiers, Guérin spread that sentiment to reach the masses. Now millions of people across Canada and across the world wear a poppy in November to remember and keep the memories of those who sacrificed their life in war alive.
Canada was introduced to the poppy from Guérin, however, the U.S. has Moina Michael to thank who was similarly inspired by McCrae’s poem and even wrote her own poem in response entitled “We Shall Keep The Faith.” Michael’s poem creates a dialogue with McCrae’s verses drawing a connection between the red of the poppy and the blood of heroes who never die.
Holgate explained that though Guérin’s work started in France, “she travelled to Port Arthur, Ontario (which is now Thunder Bay, Ontario) on July 6, 1921 to present the idea to the Great War Veterans Association and brought with her more than two million fabric poppies.”
The Association then agreed to accept and adopt the poppy as a national symbol for Remembrance Day. “On November 25, 1925, the Association would unify with other veteran groups to form the Canadian Legion at the British Empire Service League with a mission to serve veterans and to promote remembrance,” said Holgate.
“From then on, of course, it was introduced into other parts of the world. Like in Australia, their Anzac Day is when they wear their poppy so it’s different all around the world,’ said Holgate.
This year, on the 100th anniversary, the Royal Canadian Legion has a special commemorative poppy made of cloth, which is reminiscent of the first poppy. The pin is a delicate looking flower and has a handmade charm and looks like it was made with paper thin tissue.
“I’m interested in a lot of the First World War like all the women that were the nurses…so every year, I sort of choose something different to do a little speech about and just try to educate people a little bit more,” said Holgate.
This year, the annual Remembrance Day at the Osoyoos Legion will be scaled down like last year with a maximum capacity of 50 people that can attend. The small parade will take place at the Legion on Nov. 11.
