The adoption of the poppy was due, in no small part, to Lt.-Gov. John McCrae’s famous 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields.” After reading the poem in a magazine in 1918, American teacher Moina Michael pledged to always wear a poppy as a sign of remembrance. In 1920, Madame Anna Guérin took the idea further by establishing a poppy campaign to raise funds for veterans and their families in France. On July 5, 1921, with her encouragement, the poppy was adopted as the Flower of Remembrance by the Great War Veterans’ Association in Canada. The lapel poppies were made by disabled Veterans at “Vetcraft” workshops in Montreal and Toronto until 1996. An original poppy is featured in this week’s photo. The poppy production is now contracted to a Canadian company with the oversight of the Royal Canadian Legion. Donations to the poppy campaign raise millions annually to support veterans and their families. Make sure to get your poppy today and support our local Legion branch 124. See you at the ceremonies this Saturday, Nov. 11 to remember the brave men and women who have fallen and who continue to protect us every day.