SamFrom the end of October to November 11, poppies appear all over the country to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
“We are always thankful to see how Canadians step up to support our Veterans during this period,” says Bruce Julian, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion. “We’re in the second year of a pandemic, yet we know we can count on generous donors and volunteers to support the campaign strongly, once again.”
The Royal Canadian Legion launched this year’s national Poppy Campaign on October 25, and close to 20 million poppies are expected to be distributed in this year’s campaign.
Donations
According to a press release from the Royal Canadian Legion, “Over 34,000 traditional donation boxes filled with Poppies will be found in the usual spots across the country.”
Like last year, the Royal Canadian Legion partnered with HSBC Bank Canada to offer touchless HSBC “Pay Tribute” tap-enabled donation boxes.
HSBC Bank Canada distributed 1,000 Poppy Boxes that will give the option to donate $2, $5, or $10. This can be done through tap with a credit or debit card or through a payment app on your phone or wearable.
These donation boxes are located at HSBC Bank branches and within select Royal Canadian Legion branches and other locations.
More information on electronic boxes can be found here. The 2021 Digital Poppy is presented in partnership with HomeEquity Bank, provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, is available again this year here.
Donors can also give online donations here.
100th Anniversary of the Poppy
In July 1921, the Great War Veterans Association made the Poppy the flower of Remembrance. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the poppy as the symbol of remembrance, the Legion made a lapel pin that replicates the original 1921 cloth pin. It is available on the Poppy Store here.
The Royal Canadian Mint
In addition, the Royal Canadian Mint produced a commemorative Poppy coin on the Poppy’s 100th year as a symbol of Remembrance. The mint offers this wreath to honour those who have served our country and those who continue to help advance peace around the world.
“Theirs is a legacy of great trials and sacrifice, but also of hope and heroism. We will never forget their bravery, and with this wreath of forget-me-nots and red poppies, we gratefully acknowledge their service while honouring the memory of the fallen,” stated the press release. Visit here to view
Commemorative Poppy stamp
Canada Post has also created a commemorative Poppy stamp to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the official adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in Canada. The release of the stamp coincided with the launch of The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2021 National Poppy* Campaign, which begins the last Friday of October each year.
“Canada Post has a long history of commemorating Remembrance Day and Canada’s military history through its stamp program. The Legion’s annual campaign is a highly visible way for Canadians to honour veterans and those who have fallen in Canada’s military,” stated a press release.
The concept behind this special stamp was not only to immortalize the crimson flower, but also offer another way to remember the more than 117,000 Canadians who died for their country. Visit here to view.
The Immortal Poppy
The Legion also unveiled an NFT Memorial to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy: The Immortal Poppy. It’s a 3D digital replica of a red Poppy from Flanders Fields in Belgium, and this art is “a way to mark the Poppy anniversary and preserve the memory of Fallen Canadians,” the press release stated, “The names of fallen Canadian Veterans are encrypted on its petals.” One hundred copies are being offered. Visit here to view.
Proceeds go to the National Poppy Trust Fund, along with 10 per cent of any subsequent sales.
Poppy Drop
As seen last year, from October 29 to November 11, virtual poppies will fall upon The Peace Tower at Parliament Hill, each representing the fallen.
“On the first night of the 2021 Poppy Drop, Dominion Carillonneur Dr. Andrea McCrady will also play The Last Post on the Peace Tower bells before the first Poppy falls,” stated a press release.
Anyone who wishes to view the event but can’t make it in person can watch it on Facebook Live on the Legion’s Facebook page. The Poppy Drop will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. EST.
The press release also noted that virtual Poppies would cascade down the Senate building simultaneously and on the National Art Centre’s Kipnes Lantern on November 11, from 7 a.m. EST to midnight.
Canadian Landmarks Remember
Canadian landmarks and community locations will also be lit in support of the campaign:
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- The CN Tower will project the Poppy image on either side of the Tower on Oct. 29 and again from Nov. 6-11 and will glow red on Remembrance Day.
- The City of Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be lit red on Nov. 11, and the city will announce other related commemorative plans on Nov. 3
- The Niagara Falls will be lit in red on Oct. 29 and Nov. 11.
- The City of Ottawa sign in the Byward Market will be lit red on Nov. 10 and 11.
- Canada Post Head Office in Ottawa will be lit in red from Nov. 8-11.
- The Calgary Tower will light up in red on Nov. 11.
- BC Place Stadium will display a Poppy design on Nov. 11.
- The Vancouver Convention Centre Olympic Cauldron will be lit in red on Nov. 11.
- The Canada Place Sails of Light will be illuminated red on Nov. 11.
- The Science World Vancouver dome will light up in red on Oct. 29 and Nov. 11.
- The Clock Tower in Mississauga will be lit on Nov. 11, pulsating in red.
- Starting on Oct. 29 and running each night, two large screens on Parliament Hill will also show the Virtual Wall of Honour, a silent video sharing the faces of Canadian Veterans who have passed, their photos submitted by people from across the country.
