This flower emerged as a symbol of remembrance during the First World War, partly because of the now-famous poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician who served as a medical officer during that war. It is usually said that McCrae wrote the poem on May 3, 1915, the day after his friend, Alexis Helmer, was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium. Like those of many of the dead soldiers, his friend’s grave was a makeshift one, in a cemetery where wild poppies were growing. McCrae apparently wrote the poem while sitting in the back of an ambulance. It is said that he wasn’t satisfied with what he had written, but that others found it after he had discarded it, and sent it to a London magazine where it was published later the same year.

The common poppy has been a symbol of death and rebirth for a long time. To many, today, it is worn not just to remember those who died in the wars, but also to honour those who still serve to protect us now. To others, it is a symbol of the freedom for which so many died.

The poppy was first adopted as a symbol by Canada in 1921. Originally the artificial ones were made by disabled veterans, with the profits used to supplement their income. This lasted until 1996 when Veterans Affairs Canada decided it could no longer maintain the business. Instead, the Royal Canadian Legion took it over and hired a private contractor, but any profits from the campaign are still used to support services for veterans and their families. Many millions of poppies are made and distributed each year, across Canada and overseas. They are usually given out free, although a voluntary donation is appreciated.

In the beginning, the poppies were made with a black centre. Then, for a number of years, the centre was changed to green, before being changed back to black — to reflect more closely the colours of the variety of poppies that grow in Flanders.

Some Canadians have begun using a small Canadian flag pin in the centre to fasten the poppy, attaching it more securely to clothing. The Canadian Legion actually prefers that no other pin be used to attach it, saying, “The poppy is the sacred symbol of remembrance and should not be defaced in any way.”

Over the years, the poppy symbol has been used on a variety of Canadian coins and stamps. The world’s first coloured circulation coin was a 25-cent piece issued by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2004. Since then, others with colour have also been issued, including a 25-cent circulation coin with two red poppies and a soldier on it; a Flanders Field limited issue coin set issued in 2015; and a poppy wreath on a Remembrance Day coin that came out in 2016. The Canadian stamps include a special set of five stamps with the “In Flanders Field” poem and a poppy, that was issued in 2015. Coin or stamp collectors can still buy many of these commemorative items.

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In fact it was a poem by Canadian physician John McCrae that first made the poppy an enduring symbol of remembrance, with the moving opening line: “In Flanders Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses row on row.”

Fertilized by the bodies of the war dead, the native poppies sprang from the soil in numbers never seen before, paying homage to the dead with their beauty, a poignant irony that couldn’t escape McCrae’s pen.

It was just months after McCrae’s own death of pneumonia in a battlefield hospital that American humanitarian Moira Michael was inspired by “In Flanders Fields.”

Two days before the November 11, 1918 armistice agreement was signed, she bought a red poppy and pinned it to her coat. She also gave out poppies to ex-servicemen at the YMCA headquarters in New York, where she was working.

Later, she realized funds were needed to provide for and train injured soldiers, and she proposed the concept of selling silk poppies to assist the disabled veterans. By 1921, the poppy was adopted as a mark of remembrance by both the American Legion Auxiliary and the Royal British Legion.

In the following years, the idea spread to France and throughout the British Commonwealth, where it remains a potent symbol to this day.

Here in Manitoba, remembrance is taken seriously as well. As our Lorraine Stevenson writes in our November 9 cover story, volunteers throughout rural Manitoba quietly undertake projects that tend, protect, and restore memorials to the war dead.

In 2016, the provincial government also announced a program to recognize those lost to war in a permanent way, putting lost Great War veterans on the map by naming geographical features such as lakes, islands and bays after them.

It’s similar to a previous program that’s seen 4,200 similar place names acknowledge the sacrifices of soldiers who lost their lives in the Second World War and later conflicts.

One of the most sobering realities is just how little is known about these soldiers a century later. Officially the province lost 1,092 soldiers in confirmed deaths.

But most historians and students of the conflict say the real number is far higher; the generally accepted figure is 7,000 now nameless and largely forgotten soldiers. At the time the program was announced the province asked the public to contact the Manitoba Geographic Names Program to add a name to the list.

One group that had already seized that torch to hold it high was the local Canadian Legion in Holland, Man. It had been working for years with the local municipality and provincial government to have nearby creeks and tributaries named after soldiers from the area and had succeeded in getting three creeks renamed.

The legion members were disappointed to learn, however, that the provincial program would now limit naming to “… remote locations owned by the Crown, but inaccessible to family members of the deceased,” as Les Ferris, head of the Holland branch told the Co-operator a year ago.

The province indicated it was primarily concerned with conflicts over naming geographic features in more populated areas from where more than one soldier could have served and died.

Ferris and his compatriots at the Legion don’t buy that explanation, pointing out that in the area, approximately 135 years after homesteading saw the first formal place names recorded, there remains “… creeks, hills etc. that are unnamed to this day.”

That’s certainly the case, and there are likewise lots of places throughout Western Canada named after people with little or no connection to the area — early surveyors who took the opportunity to name something after themselves or friends and family, for example.

The real issue of course is accessibility. Descendants of the soldiers and others interested in their legacy might want to visit these geographic features to pay tribute.

A location that can be reached by driving to it will surely serve that purpose more than any remote location that’s only accessible by hiring a piper centlot with a float plane or portaging a canoe.

The Holland Legion post wrote Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox, whose department oversees the program, to ask the government to reconsider the naming criteria, which had been set by the previous government. The minister’s office said it would review the issue, but since then has been silent.

We’d like to add our voice to this call for change. Servicemen who lost their lives deserve memorials where family can visit, and even lay a wreath.

After all, what purpose does a monument none can visit serve?

The post Editorial: On remembering appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540- 8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204- 729-1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800-933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

April 28-29:Workshop on the effects of mycotoxins produced by grain-infecting fungi (fusarium head blight of wheat), location TBA, Winnipeg. For more info or to register email farmfdsfty@gov.mb.ca.

May 20-21:Canadian Meat Goat Association annual general meeting and conference, Peace Memorial Multiplex, 605 Second Ave., Wainwright, Alta. For more info call 306-598-4322 or visit www.canadianmeatgoat.com.

July 10-13:Canadian Special Crops Association silver jubilee convention, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. For more info call 204-925-3780 or visit www.specialcrops.mb.ca.

July 24-27:International Symposium on Pre-Harvest Sprouting in Cereals, Capri Centre, 3310-50th Ave., Red Deer, Alta. Early-bird registration deadline June 1. For more info email lori. oatway@gov.ab.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Apr. 14, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

April 7:“A threat to family farms, public health care and public services,” a National Farmers Union Region 5 public meeting on the Canada/European Union economic and trade agreement, 7 p.m., Room 2C, Union Centre, 206-275 Broadway, Winnipeg. For more info visit www.nfu.ca.

April 9:Manitoba Organic Alliance annual general meeting (rescheduled from March 12), 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Marshall McLuhan Hall, 204 University Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. For more info visit www.manitobaorganicalliance.com.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540-8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204-729- 1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800- 933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Apr. 7, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

March 31:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Red River Complex, Winkler. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-325- 9672.

April 7:“A threat to family farms, public health care and public services,” a National Farmers Union Region 5 public meeting on the Canada/ European Union economic and trade agreement, 7 p.m., Room 2C, Union Centre, 206-275 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg. For more info visit www.nfu.ca.

April 9:Manitoba Organic Alliance annual general meeting (rescheduled from March 12), 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Marshall McLuhan Hall, 204 University Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. For more info visit www.manitobaorganicalliance.com.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540- 8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204- 729-1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800-933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Mar. 31, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

March 24:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Beausejour Rec Centre. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-268-9266.

March 26:Woodlot Association of Manitoba annual general meeting, 10 a.m., Boreal Woods Nature Centre, junction of Hwy. 59 and PR 100 North near Grand Marais. $15 per person. For more info or to register contact Allan Webb at 204-467- 8648 or ajwebb@mts.net.

March 31:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Red River Complex, Winkler. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-325-9672.

April 9:Manitoba Organic Alliance annual general meeting (rescheduled from March 12), 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Marshall McLuhan Hall, 204 University Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. For more info visit www.manitobaorganicalliance.com.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540- 8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204- 729-1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800-933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Mar. 24, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

events to daveb@fbcpublishing.com or call 204-944-5762.

March 17:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Carman GO Office, 63-3rd Ave. NE. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 17:Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council annual general meeting, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. For more info visit www.mrac.ca or call 1-800-216-9767.

March 20:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 1-2 p.m., Fort Whyte Alive, Winnipeg. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-989-8359.

March 22:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Teulon GO Centre, 77 Main St. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 22:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Lord Selkirk School, Selkirk. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-482-6926.

March 23:Friends of Birds Hill Park speaker series, 7 p.m., Red River Community Centre, 293 Murray Ave., Winnipeg, with provincial zoologist Bill Watkins on cougars in Manitoba and Bob Betcher on groundwater conservation challenges. For more info or to register, email info@friendsofbirdshillpark.ca or call

Shannon at 204-783-4249.

March 23:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Stonewall Collegiate. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204- 467-2956.

March 24:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Beausejour Rec Centre. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-268-9266.

March 26:Woodlot Association of Manitoba annual general meeting, 10 a.m., Boreal Woods Nature Centre, junction of Hwy. 59 and PR 100 North near Grand Marais. $15 per person. For more info or to register contact Allan Webb at 204-467-8648 or ajwebb@mts.net.

March 31:Making Manitoba Maple Syrup seminar, 7-8 p.m., Red River Complex, Winkler. For more info email kfosty@treecanada.ca or call 204-325-9672.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540-8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204-729-1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800-933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Mar. 17, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

March 10:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Souris GO Office, 130-1st Ave. For more info call Randy Eros at 204- 422-8723.

March 10-11:Farm Management Conference: “Manage The Future, Plan For Success.” PCU Centre, 245 Royal Road S. on Island Park, Portage la Prairie. Registration $125 per person ($100 before Feb. 25). For more info call MAFRI in Portage at 204-239-3352.

March 11:Energizing Agriculture 2011, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Deloraine School, 112 Lake St., Deloraine. Free admission and lunch. For more info call 204-747-3668.

March 15:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Dauphin GO Centre, 27-2nd Ave. SW. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 17:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership

recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Carman GO Office, 63-3rd Ave. NE. For more info call Randy Eros at 204- 422-8723.

March 17:Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council annual general meeting, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. For more info visit www.mrac.ca or call 1-800-216- 9767.

March 22:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership

recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Teulon GO Centre, 77 Main St. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540-8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204-729- 1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800- 933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

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UP

The post What’s appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

March 3:Manitoba Flax Growers Association annual meeting, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Holland Community Centre, Holland. For more info call 204-638- 5231 or email mfga@mts.net.

March 5:Manitoba Sheep Association annual

general meeting, 9:30 a.m., Commonwealth Air Training Museum dining hall, Brandon Airport. For more info contact Gerry at 204-834-2261 or gerry@spiritsands.ca.

March 8:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Smitty’s Restaurant, 45 Park Rd., Steinbach. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 10:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Souris GO Office, 130-1st Ave. For more info call Randy Eros at 204- 422-8723.

March 10-11:Farm Management Conference: “Manage The Future, Plan For Success.” PCU Centre, 245 Royal Road S. on Island Park, Portage la Prairie. Registration $125 per person ($100 before Feb. 25). For more info call MAFRI in Portage at 204-239-3352.

March 11:Energizing Agriculture 2011, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Deloraine School, 112 Lake St., Deloraine. Free admission and lunch. For more info call 204- 747-3668.

March 15:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Dauphin GO Centre, 27-2nd Ave. SW. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 17:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Carman GO Office, 63-3rd Ave. NE. For more info call Randy Eros at 204-422-8723.

March 17:Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council annual general meeting, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. For more info visit www.mrac.ca or call 1-800-216-9767.

March 22:Agassiz Lamb Co-op membership recruitment meeting, 7-9 p.m., Teulon GO Centre, 77 Main St. For more info call Randy Eros at 204- 422-8723.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540- 8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204- 729-1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800-933-9863 or visit www.capturingopportunities.ca.

The post What’s Up – for Mar. 3, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

Feb. 22:“Record Keeping for Organic Growers, Part 2,” a Canadian Organic Growers webinar. For more info visit www.cog.ca/shop, click on “Events,” then click on “Webinars.”

Feb. 23:Managing your Woodlot: Seminars, Baldur Memorial Hall. For more info call MAFRI at 204-741-0490.

Feb. 24:“Crop Planning for Organic Growers, Part 2,” a Canadian Organic Growers webinar. For more info visit www.cog.ca/shop, click on “Events,” then click on “Webinars.”

Feb. 27 -March 1:GrainWorld 2011, Fairmont Hotel, 2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg. For more info call 204-983-4236.

March 1:Manitoba Canola Growers Association annual general meeting, UCT Room, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info call 204-982- 2122 or visit www.mcgacanola.org.

March 2:Managing your Woodlot: Open house and seminars, Pembina Valley C.D. office, Manitou. For more info call MAFRI at 204-526-0836.

March 3:Managing your Woodlot: Open house and seminars, LaSalle Redboine C.D. shop, Holland. For more info call MAFRI at 204-526- 0836.

March 4-5:Direct Farm Marketing, William Glesby Centre, Portage la Prairie. For more info call 204- 867-6572 or visit www.directfarmmarketing.com.

March 17:Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council annual general meeting, Canad Inns, 2401 Saskatchewan Ave. W., Portage la Prairie. For more info visit www.mrac.ca or call 1-800-216-9767.

April 15-16:Hudson Bay Route Association annual convention, Royal Canadian Legion, 540-8th Ave. S., Virden. For more info call Arnold Grambo at 204-729- 1727 or email hbroute@westman.wave.ca.

April 20-21:Capturing Opportunities: A Business and Community Forum, Keystone Centre, Brandon. For more info phone 800- 933-9863 or visit www.

The post What’s Up – for Feb. 17, 2011 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.