The poppy has become the national symbol of remembrance and this year marks an important milestone for the red flower. 

It was 100 years ago today, July 6, that the Royal Canadian Legion adopted the Poppy as the flower of Remembrance. 

Madame Anna Guérin, who would later be known as ”The Poppy Lady from France”, was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” and had the idea to distribute poppies on Armistice Day (which would later become Remembrance Day) as a way to raise money for veterans in need and to remember those who died during the First World War. 

In July of 1921, the Great War Veterans Association adopted the poppy as the flower of Remembrance. The Great War Veterans Association would amalgamate with other veterans groups in 1925 to become the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Locally, the Legion Hall will have a red light shining on the poppy logo on the side of the building. The City of Moose Jaw will have the clock tower lit up in red and Tourism Moose Jaw will light up Mac the Moose in red. 

“We put a note out on our Facebook page to anybody that follows our Facebook page to say if they want to change the bulb in front of their house to red for tonight that would be great just to show any support that you can,” said Roy LaBuick, president of the Legion Branch 59 here in Moose Jaw. 

The Royal Canadian Legion’s poppy campaign comes up every November as Remembrance Day nears and the flower lapel pins raises money that stays in the community for veterans in need. LaBuick added that this anniversary will play a role in this year’s Remembrance Day. 

“We're going to definitely, the 100th anniversary of the poppy, we will work in with our Remembrance Day service this year. With, of course, the guidelines all seem to be coming to an end, we’ll hopefully be able to have a full Remembrance Day service,” he said. 

The Legion is currently selling commemorative pins to mark the 100th anniversary of the poppy. Information on how to purchase a pin or more information about the 100th anniversary can be found here.