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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-11-05, Page 11Wednesday, November 5, 2008 Times -Advocate 11 Honoring Our VE E THE POPPY CAMPAIGN Each November, millions of poppies blossom in Canada. Since 1921 they have blossomed on every jacket, dress and hat of nearly half of the Canadian population. The poppy is the symbol that individu- als use to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peacekeeping operations that Canada has been involved in. The association of the poppy with those who had been killed in war had existed for at least 110 years prior to being adopted by Canada. There are records of a correspondent who, during the Napoleonic Wars, wrote how quickly poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. The person who was responsible more than any other, for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War. He came away from Ypres with thirteen lines scrawled on a scrap of paper which started with "In Flanders fields the poppies blow..." These lines are enshrined in the inner most thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear them. John McCrae was their voice. 2007-2008 POPPY REPORT Income Campaign income Donations Wreath sales Interest Total Income 4582.20 620.00 1572.80 76.35 6861.35 Expenditures Army Cadet Corp. 686.00 Charitable Foundation 2000.00 Bursaries 1000.00 Campaign Material 5313.06 Committee Expenses 1269.92 Total Expenditures 10268.98 Exeter Legion Activities Sunday, November 9th - Cenotaph and Church Service 10:15 a.m. Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph 11:00 a.m. Church Service at Trivia Memorial Church Wreath Layers are to report to the issuing officer by 9:4S a.m. at the Legion to confirm that their organization is represented to lay a wreath. All groups; Legion and Ladies Auxiliary Members parading to the Cenotaph are asked to be at the Legion Hall at 9:4S a.m. School and Exeter Villa times for Remembrance Programs Tuesday, November 11th • South Huron District High School 9 a.m. • Exeter Public School 10:15 a.m. • Precious Blood School 10:00 a.m. • Our Lady of Mount Carmel 11:00 a.m. • Usborne Central School 11:00 a.m. • Stephen Central School 2:00 p.m. • Exeter Villa 2:45 p.m. Public Welcome Remembrance Banquet on Tuesday, November I Ith at the Exeter Legion Social Time 5 - 6:30 p.m. • Opening Ceremonies 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $10.00/person (limited seating) Tickets available from Exeter Legion Canteen 519-235-2962 (afternoon) Vera Armstrong 519-235-0780, Bart DeVries 519-235-0949 (home), 519-235-1298 (work) Aio t In the United States, a women named Moina Michael was working in a New York city YMCA can- teen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of thousands who died on the battlefield. The American Legion was inspired to adopt the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame E. Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of her country. In Canada, the Great War Veteran's Association officially adopted the poppy following the example of Madame Guerin. There is little doubt that the impact of John McCrae's poem influenced this decision. Thanks to millions of Canadians who wear the poppy each November the little red plant has never died, nor have Canadians failed to remember the extreme sacrifices that 116,031 countrymen made on their behalf for future generations. POPPY FUNDS The distribution of poppies and the sale of wreaths during the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Day raises the funds necessary for the Legion to operate a Service Bureaux, which act as an advocate for veterans, ex -service people and their dependants seeking compensation from the government for ser- vice incurred disabilities. Every year in excess of one million dollars (of the money collected as a result of the annual Poppy Campaign) is used in direct assistance for ex -service people and their dependants in financial distress. Examples of the uses of the Poppy Fund are: payments for food, accommodation, utilities, clothing, educational assistance, furniture, medical assistance, dental and optical services and hospital comforts. The funds are a blessing for the many thousands helped. The beneficiaries of aid from the Legion's Poppy Fund are not limited to veterans and ex -service members. Over the years, many millions of dollars have been given to worthy charities or spent provid- ing the aged and disabled with medical assistance and equipment, meals -on -wheels, transportation, shelter and clothing. Funds are also provided for disaster relief. The Legion helps non-members and members alike, whenever the need arises. Since the workers who carry out Poppy Campaign are volunteers from Legion membership, cam- paign expenses are limited largely to cost of supplies, (such as the manufacture of the poppies and wreaths.) The money collected is held in trust and cannot be spent on anything other than the purpos- es specifically authorized by the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion. Dues paid by the membership cover costs associated with branch, provin- cial, and Dominion Command operations. The Maple Leaf by Emily Ainslie (Zurich) On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf The last one of this summer's growth, The sight was only brief. I thought as I was bussed to school What that leaf went through The wind, the rain, the snow and hail And 1 thought, "How strong and true" It was Remembrance Day that day All was peace and calm. I was reading history, And suddenly it dawned: The maple leaf reminded me, Of an unforgotten past - Of cannons, tanks, and rifles; Where casualties were vast. Where brave and worthy men went out And fought with all Their might. Their families at work, at home Grieving day and night. The food most likely wasn't great. Their tents would smell so bad. Some of them were up all night From injuries they had. All those soldiers fighting Went for the same belief: For honour, for their country, For honour from their chief. On a tree, the highest branch I saw a maple leaf. I thanked those soldiers quietly, My heart full of relief. 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