No longer is the left lapel the only place to wear your poppy.
You can also commemorate those who lost their lives in war by showing it on your wrist.
With the launch of the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign, a new national logo, website and Remembrance Day paraphernalia were also unveiled, including a black “Lest We Forget” rubber wristband.
Gerry Finlay, a provincial command service officer with the Royal Canadian Legion, said the facelift is part of an attempt to change the perception of what the legion is and what it does.
No longer is the legion a place where “a bunch of old geezers” play bingo and drink beer, he said.
“Our organization, as old and traditional as it is, is continuing to (evolve) and seek out changes,” he said, noting how the rubber wristbands appeal to a younger demographic.
Finlay believes change is good. The legion has also tried to increase awareness and advocacy through essay, poem and poster contests in schools.
“We have this new paraphernalia and that’s a way of promoting it in the schools and identifying the legion,” he said.
The wristbands sold out quickly at the St. Albert legion this year. Service officer and poppy chair Frank Mostyn noted he only made a small order of 15 to 20 bracelets in case they didn’t catch on.
The wristbands sell for $2.
Donations from the annual poppy campaign are used to care for veterans and their families to support those suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries and trauma. Donations are also used to support special education programs to help soldiers transitioning from military to civilian life.
