Removing poppy after Remembrance Day a sign of respect

Remembrance Day has come and gone which means you can now take off your poppy.

That’s according to Colin Riese, Poppy and Wreath Committee Chair for the Prince Albert Legion.

While some might believe they’re honouring veterans by continuing to wear their poppy after November 11, Riese told paNOW the proper way to show respect is to actually take it off.

“Once we have remembered them through our service and act of remembrance… that is the final farewell,” he said.

It’s custom to put your poppy on a wreath or community cenotaph after the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Those who didn’t get the opportunity to do so are asked to either store theirs or dispose of it respectively. This can include recycling them, while treating them as litter is frowned upon.

Riese said throwing a poppy away haphazardly is a sign of disrespect.

“Unless it is absolutely shredded or something like that, you’ll want to dispose of it appropriately.”

He encourages people to honour veterans through other means ahead of the next poppy campaign. This includes visiting the community cenotaph, learning more about the past, and simply sitting down with a veteran.

As for those who decided to wear a beaded poppy, Riese believes they should be taken off and stored until the next poppy campaign.

“They should be given the same respect as the pinned poppy; they should be removed after the service.”

He adds those who choose to make and sell beaded poppies should be sending the proceeds to their community poppy campaign. The symbol is trademarked by the Royal Canadian Legion and Royal British Legion.

Meanwhile, Riese didn’t have the exact number for how much was raised during the P.A. poppy campaign. He did state they sold more wreaths than in 2020, adding they’re hopeful for an overall higher total.

The funds raised will be used to support local veterans and their families.