This year’s National Poppy Campaign of the Royal Canadian Legion has presented the first poppy to Her Excellency the Right Honorable Julie Payette, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. A virtual presentation has been held in the traditional ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thomas D. Irvine, CD, the Legion’s D0ominion President, presented the flower with words of thanks that veterans both past and present appreciate her personal engagement and her example would be followed by millions in both Canada and abroad all would take comfort in that symbolic act, and through the support for their Veterans shown by Canadians.

As The Royal Canadian Legion’s Viceregal Patron, Payette accepted the symbolic poppy and showed her support for the National Poppy Campaign this year.

She said that the campaign this year looks different for sure, but the intent was still the same and was still as noble. She also shared they had to support their veterans, as they supported the organization during challenging points in its history. Payette’s Excellency reflected her admiration for all Veterans who have served the country. She thanked to them for all they had done and have been doing for Canada as well as thanked to all Canadians for having supported the National Poppy Campaign.

The Legion’s National Poppy Campaign launches on the last Friday in October every year, and will start on October 30 this year.

According to Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Larry Murray, Legion Grand President, the 2020 poppy also remind of the special significance of 75th anniversary of the end of the World War II and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Remembrance also reminds us that Canada has been through even more challenging times than they are experiencing now.

Funds locally donated during the National Poppy Campaign are locally distributed to help support Veterans and their families, communities, as well as to promote Remembrance.