Every year, during the last week in October and leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, Canadian veterans humbly call upon their fellow citizens to join in honouring Canadian military valour and sacrifice by wearing a poppy.
This small gesture of respect means more than you know to those who have served.
To a veteran, it represents the loss of their comrades and the sacrifice to restore dignity and freedoms to those who suffer under military conflict.
To our men and women in uniform of today, it means respect for the significant contributions of Canada’s military in honouring our international responsibilities.
To a family who has lost a loved one, it softens the heartbreak knowing that others revere and pay tribute to a life given serving in the cause of peace.
It is gratifying to see how many businesses take a leadership role in supporting veterans. You can help the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign by organizing a Poppy Campaign within your organization with the assistance of your local Legion Branch. Promote remembrance on your company website. Make a monetary donation to your local Legion. Encourage your employees to volunteer with your local Legion Branch’s Poppy Campaign—perhaps match their volunteer time with a paid hour.
Other options are to plan a commemorative ceremony in your business foyer or lay a wreath at your community Remembrance Day ceremony. Promote the Text-to-Give Campaign by texting the word “poppy” to 20222.
Call your local Legion and ask to help.