Joanne Cross

At this time every year I feel very emotional. I’m dedicated to put in writing how thankful I am for the life I am able to live today because of the Brave Men & Women who Fought, Died and Are Still Fighting for my Freedom!

Year after year as I stand listening to the ceremony, my emotions grow more intense each year. As I watch the many people around me I observe how this brings us together to say our thanks and show our appreciation. But mostly I see how we reach out to our loved ones, hugging and holding them as if to say I have you and my life because of the sacrifice of so many. Truly expressing our appreciation to all the Brave Men and Women who left their loved ones and their lives, seems almost impossible!

However impossible it may seem, I personally take a veteran to lunch, and or call a veteran and personally thank them. I always buy dozens of poppies for each member of my family. We wear them with Great Pride and Thanks

Why the Poppy?

The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars, when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.

During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem, In Flanders Fields, on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.

The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the U.S, Britain and Commonwealth countries.

The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921.

Today the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.

2011 Ceremonies in Ajax & Pickering

http://www.rclajax.com

http://www.cityofpickering.com/standard/lifestyle/events/index.html