Importance of Remembrance

Canadians often associate The Royal Canadian Legion with Remembrance ceremonies and events. Through these initiatives, we honour and remember Canada’s fallen Veterans and help ensure Canadians never forget. The Legion is responsible for planning and coordinating annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in communities across the country, including the national ceremony in Ottawa.

For many, our most widely known activity is the annual Poppy campaign that leads up to Remembrance Day. Legion members and other volunteers distribute tens of millions of Poppies, and gratefully accept donations to raise money in support of Veterans and their families.

While November is recognized as a time of Remembrance, for the Legion and for many across the country, Remembrance is a year-long commitment. At any given moment, there are many opportunities available to anyone wishing to show their appreciation for those who served, including:

• Becoming a Legion member to support Veterans year-round
• Making a donation to the Legion’s Poppy Trust Fund at any Legion Branch
  
• Saying “Thank you” to a Veteran
• Wearing a Poppy
• Honouring a fallen Veteran on the Legion’s Wall of Honour and Remembrance
• Planting Poppy seeds or growing a garden of Remembrance
• Visiting a cenotaph
• Inviting a Legion Branch to make a presentation at a school or community group
  
• Participating in the Legion's Pilgrimage of Remembrance
• Wearing or displaying commemorative items from the Poppy Store
• Visiting the Canadian War Museum or local history museums
• Volunteering to help Veterans, and more!

Most importantly, take a moment now and then to reflect on the freedoms and peace in your life, and to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for all we have today.