For over 100 years, the poppy has been the symbol of remembrance.
Anna Guerin of France is credited with first proposing the red flower as a Remembrance Day symbol in the aftermath of the First World War.
And Thursday morning at Veterans Memorial Garden a poppy was pinned on St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston to officially launch this year’s campaign.
Preston praised the effort of Royal Canadian Legion Lord Elgin Branch 41 and their contributions to life in St. Thomas.
The Great War Veterans’ Association of Canada — precursor to the Royal Canadian Legion — adopted the poppy symbol in 1921 and the flower has been worn in the weeks leading up to the annual Remembrance Day ceremony ever since.
Royal Canadian Legion Lord Elgin Branch 41 poppy chairman Adrian Williams tells myFM where funds raised help the community.
Williams explained the significance of the poppy-pinning ceremony.
He added the poppies will be distributed to locations throughout the city beginning Friday (Oct. 27).
