My friend [[Ann Thurlow]] helpfully pointed out to me this evening that the poppy that we wear leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11 is supposed to be worn on the left-hand side of the body, over the heart. Up until that point I’d simply assumed that any old jaunty place would suffice.
As such I offer an apology to any veterans and others whom I’ve offended during the 38 previous Remembrance Day periods I’ve lived through when there’s been a 50% chance that I’ve had it wrong.
For the complete rundown, see this helpful Veterans Affairs Canada page, which includes:
The Royal Canadian Legion suggests that the Poppy be worn on the left lapel of a garment or as close to the heart as possible.
I realized this evening that it has been 21 years since 1984. I can remember 1984. Very clearly. And 21 years before I was born in 1966 was the end of World War II. That kind of thinking kind of compresses the time stream.
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I am Peter Rukavina and this is my blog. I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.
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Comments
I’m surprised you didn’t know
I’m surprised you didn’t know that. Isn’t that one of the first things we learn about Remembrance Day as kids in school? Since that topic is a hard one to teach young children about, we all learned the basics. The poppy, the pin, Flanders Field and colouring crosses. Bonus if you made a poppy with red and green tissue paper using the end of a pencil technique.
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