The Royal Canadian Legion has provided a set of protocols to help people wear a poppy in an appropriate and respectful manner this Remembrance Day.
The protocols laid out on the Legion’s website state that while wearing a poppy is a personal expression of remembrance and can be up to the choice of the individual there are some baseline recommendations.
For one, the poppy should be worn on the left side, over the heart. The symbol of remembrance should also not be affixed with a pin that obstructs the poppy itself. Available through some branches is the Legion's reusable black centre poppy pin.
The poppy can be worn during several other occasions besides the remembrance period lasting between the last Friday in October until Nov. 11. They can also be worn at the funerals of veterans and other memorial events or services. As it is an individual choice, wearing a poppy during other times to honour fallen veterans can also be appropriate.
Some choose to remove their poppy at the conclusion of the ceremony and place them on wreaths used during the ceremony. As this may not be possible as there will be no public ceremonies held in Delta this year, the Legion suggests that when a poppy is removed it should be stored appropriately or it can be disposed of respectfully.
While poppies are always free, donations for the poppies directly supports Canada’s veterans and their families in need.
This Remembrance Day, Ladner Legion manager Jacky Hillairet recommends that instead of attending a ceremony, people should stand outside their home and hold their own two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.
This article was originally published by the Delta Optimist.
