From the G & M:
"Poppies in demand as support surges for military after attacks"
The wave of anxiety over the slaying of two soldiers on Canadian soil is giving way to something else: a steady stream of support for the military in the days leading up to Remembrance Day. The Royal Canadian Legion is only halfway through its annual poppy campaign, but officials say Canadians have picked up about 19 million poppies – one million more than last year’s total. In Ottawa, there are renewed calls to make Remembrance Day a national statutory holiday. “Our taggers [volunteers] on the corners say people have just been lining up for them,” said Jim Farrell, chairman of the Legion’s Woodbine Heights branch in Toronto. “I think the events from a couple weeks ago brought the war home. It’s not something that happens far away any more.” Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent were killed more than two weeks ago. WO Vincent was killed Oct. 20 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., by an extremist who ran the solider over with a car. Cpl. Cirillo was shot dead Oct. 22 by a gunman at the National War Memorial.
Legion officials say those events have become emblematic of a renewed patriotism – and have sparked an increase in military support. “Vets returning from the war in Afghanistan, coupled with, we are now engaged with ISIS, plus the lone-wolf terror attack on home soil, brought to light the risk of wearing a uniform,” Legion spokesperson Bruce Poulin said, making a reference to the war against Islamic State militants in Iraq. “Canadians are showing their support and it means a lot.” Prime Minister Stephen Harper is cutting short a visit to China to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies and officials expect the Ottawa ceremony to draw large crowds. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, MPs voted 258-2 in favour of a private member’s bill that would amend the Holidays Act to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday. Remembrance Day is already a statutory holiday in six provinces and the three territories but not in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. For federal civil servants, Nov. 11 is a day off no matter where they are.
^ I've been in Canada once for Veteran's/Remembrance Day and got a poppy. It is a nice little way that people can show their support for their military (especially on a day that is made to remember them.) The only sad part of this is that people had to die between the majority of Canadians stopped and thought about the men and women who risk their lives everyday for them. ^
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/poppies-in-demand-as-support-surges-for-military-after-attacks/article21490226/
"Poppies in demand as support surges for military after attacks"
The wave of anxiety over the slaying of two soldiers on Canadian soil is giving way to something else: a steady stream of support for the military in the days leading up to Remembrance Day. The Royal Canadian Legion is only halfway through its annual poppy campaign, but officials say Canadians have picked up about 19 million poppies – one million more than last year’s total. In Ottawa, there are renewed calls to make Remembrance Day a national statutory holiday. “Our taggers [volunteers] on the corners say people have just been lining up for them,” said Jim Farrell, chairman of the Legion’s Woodbine Heights branch in Toronto. “I think the events from a couple weeks ago brought the war home. It’s not something that happens far away any more.” Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent were killed more than two weeks ago. WO Vincent was killed Oct. 20 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., by an extremist who ran the solider over with a car. Cpl. Cirillo was shot dead Oct. 22 by a gunman at the National War Memorial.
Legion officials say those events have become emblematic of a renewed patriotism – and have sparked an increase in military support. “Vets returning from the war in Afghanistan, coupled with, we are now engaged with ISIS, plus the lone-wolf terror attack on home soil, brought to light the risk of wearing a uniform,” Legion spokesperson Bruce Poulin said, making a reference to the war against Islamic State militants in Iraq. “Canadians are showing their support and it means a lot.” Prime Minister Stephen Harper is cutting short a visit to China to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies and officials expect the Ottawa ceremony to draw large crowds. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, MPs voted 258-2 in favour of a private member’s bill that would amend the Holidays Act to make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday. Remembrance Day is already a statutory holiday in six provinces and the three territories but not in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. For federal civil servants, Nov. 11 is a day off no matter where they are.
^ I've been in Canada once for Veteran's/Remembrance Day and got a poppy. It is a nice little way that people can show their support for their military (especially on a day that is made to remember them.) The only sad part of this is that people had to die between the majority of Canadians stopped and thought about the men and women who risk their lives everyday for them. ^
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/poppies-in-demand-as-support-surges-for-military-after-attacks/article21490226/
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