The Red Poppy

[PJ Hardtack]

I just realized that the wearing of the red poppy on Nov. 11 may be unique to Canada. Do other Commonwealth countries wear it as well? I know the Americans don't.

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

Strange as it is, the poppy trend actually started with the Americans however it died out completely.  UK, NZ & AU all wear the poppy.  When I was in the service, we wore the poppy in the left side on our head dress.  Now I notice that they wear it on the left side of the tunic.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I think that these Poppy lapel pins are still available;

https://www.facebook.com/DoctrineMan/photos/a.169913026375190.35223.110598432306650/1444162858950194/?type=3&theater

I can see it, but you might have to log into facebook to see it yourself.

Here's the link to the British Legion shop;  http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

I usually lose my poppies and find out that I am walking around without one feeling a tad ashamed until I can find another.  I since use a push pin where the black centre is the the head of the pin.  When I buy a poppy I replace the centre with the push pin. To compensate for no longer buying several poppies, I make a donation to the local Legion poppy fund.

Just as an aside, they now have the Canadian Decoration (CD) as a lapel pin.  It can be ordered plain or with required number of rosettes. It measures 3/4" x 1/4" and is enamel coated.  When I retired back in '87, they were giving out a retirement lapel pin similar that they gave WWII Vets. It is the CAF crest with the words "Canada" at the top and "Service" on the bottom  If you retired with 12 to 22 yrs service, you got the bronze one, 22 to 32 yrs, you got the silver one and gold for 32 + yrs of service.   I prefer the small  CD for a lapel pin.