The first World War ended in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Armistice Day, now known as Remembrance Day, is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.
The Armistice Day Act was amended to ensure that November 11th would be the one distinct observance that the nation would pay tribute to those "who gave their lives that freedom might prevail".
In 1970 Remembrance Day was included in "The Holidays Act". In 2005 was as Year of the Veteran was accepted and instituted by the Government of Canada through a continued effort by the Legion to educate the Canadian people.
"Remembrance Day" is a sacred trust of The Royal Canadian Legion and ensures the memory of those fallen soldiers who sacrificed so that we may know freedom. On November 11th at 11:00 A.M. communities hold services and with 2 minutes of silence remember the losses.
The Poppy Campaign begins 2 weeks prior to November 11. The purpose of this campaign is solely to perpetuate Remembrance without remuneration. The intention is to remind all Canadians of the sacrifice of the 117.000 Canadians who died in the many war theatres of the World.
Many millions of poppies and thousands of wreaths, sprays and crosses are distributed yearly. Donations in whatever amount are accepted and provide funds for needy Canadian veterans, ex-service members and their dependants, as well as Commonwealth veterans
The funds are placed in a Poppy Trust Fund managed by the individual Legions. A Trust Fund Committee oversees the requests from needy veterans, ex-service members and their families for the purchase of medical appliances; funding medical research and training, providing bursaries to the children and grandchildren of veterans and ex-service members; and funding accommodation, care facilities, meals-on-wheels, transport and related services for veterans, seniors and disabled persons.
We proudly wear the vibrant red Poppy perpetuating the memory of the lives and sacrifices made.
Major John McCrae, Canadian military doctor and native of Guelph, Ontario, wrote the famous poem, "In Flanders Field". He wrote the poem following the death of one of his closest friends, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.
Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was killed by a German artillery shell during the Second Battle of Ypres, Belguim on May 2, 1915. His grave was marked with a simple wooden cross as were the graves of other fallen soldiers. Among the crosses, wild poppies were blooming and from this vivid picture, the poem "In Flanders Field" was born, giving remembrance and a voice to those that fought and died in battle.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Laurence Binyon, born in Lancaster, England in 1869, wrote the
Poem "The Fallen". The poem was written while working at the British Museum,
Department of Printed Books. Binyon did not go to the Western Front
until 1916 when he went as a Red Cross orderly.
"The Fallen" was a poem about World War One and on
September 21, 1914, The Times published it. Many War Memorials are inscribed
with this poem and part of the poem "is recited at memorial services worldwide.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
REFRAIN
We will remember them.
WITH proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
The poppy campaign starts 2 weeks prior to November 11.
Schedule: to be posted
