A poppy donation box from the Lethbridge Legion. (Photo supplied by Glenn Miller, Lethbridge Legion General Stewart Branch No. 4)

By Justin Goulet

The poppy celebrates 100 years of remembrance

Nov 9, 2021 | 5:45 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – 2021 marks a special year. It’s the 100^th anniversary of the poppy.

The poppy is worn as a way to recognize the sacrifices of war veterans and their families.

The idea of wearing a poppy was first introduced by Madame Anna Guérin of France, who was inspired by the classic poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Canadian John McCrae. Guérin had initially created a charity to help rebuild regions of France that had been destroyed by World War One. To help raise funds, she made poppies out of fabric.

She presented her concept to France’s allies including The Great War Veterans Association – a precursor to The Royal Canadian Legion. The idea was considered at a meeting in what’s now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario and was adopted on July 6, 1921.

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Glenn Miller with the Lethbridge Legion told LNN that “it is amazing to see how the poppy has evolved since it was first worn.”

He said this year, the local General Stewart Branch No. 4 initiated the #MyPoppyMemory campaign, inviting all to share their memories and stories of the poppy on social media.

Miller shared an example, saying, “I was just over in the Netherlands a few years ago [at] one of the Canadian war cemeteries and there was one poppy growing beside a headstone and it was taller than the headstone.”

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He remarked that poppies, as much as they are associated with Remembrance Day on November 11, can be worn year-round as the act of remembrance should not solely be set aside for the one day.

“Poppies are not just for Remembrance Day, but year-round, we all can think and remember.”

The Lethbridge Legion’s poppy campaign is on now until November 11. Donations collected go towards helping veterans and their families, influenced by Madame Anne Guérin’s idea 100 years ago.

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The City of Lethbridge is recognizing Veteran’s Week (November 4 to 11). During the week, 4 Avenue between 9 Avenue and 11 Avenue is temporarily renamed Veteran Avenue.

Donations for the poppy campaign can be made online through the Lethbridge Legion’s website here.

QR codes new for this year are available on business poppy boxes in Lethbridge and surrounding areas covering Coaldale, Raymond, Stirling and Magrath. The public can donate electronically or view a video on their smart phone.