Dear Editor:
As a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, I spent the weekend giving out poppies and collecting donations.
It seems, however, that not everyone knows what the legion's poppy campaign is all about.
Most importantly, Canadians wear the poppy on the left lapel to honour all soldiers who put their lives on the line at their country's call in the various conflicts over the last century. The poppy is a symbol of respect for those veterans still alive and it shows our commitment to remember those who are not.
The legion's poppy campaign uses the donations you make to help your community. The funds are used for many programs such as scholarships and bursaries, amateur sports, community programs, assistance to seniors and assistance to veterans of all ages and their families.
A few people mentioned that they did not want a poppy as it supported war. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, not war, and the best example of this symbolism is the Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge, Pas-de-Calais, France. This magnificent monument commemorates the fallen soldiers of war and is not a symbol of war, victory or conflict but remembrance and peace just like the poppy. During the Second World War the German army knew exactly what the monument stood for and surrounded the memorial with a platoon of Waffen SS for the entire conflict to protect the site from German and allied armies. The site was untouched during the Second World War.
So please wear a poppy with pride and honour, remember those who have fallen and those still alive who served in conflicts around the world with the aim of making this world a better place for all.
Visit: legion.ca for more information.
David A. Jones
West Vancouver
