The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance of those who died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Australians wear a red poppy on Remembrance Day in memory of the sacred dead who rest in Flanders’ Fields, to keep alive the memories of the sacred cause for which they laid down their lives, as a bond of esteem and affection between the soldiers of all Allied nations and in respect for France, our common battleground.
Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was the first to describe the red poppy, the Flanders’ poppy, as the flower of remembrance, in 1915. He was in charge of a first aid post and wrote a poem that is known as In Flanders Fields. The poem described the poppies that marked the graves of soldiers killed fighting for their country.
Lakes Entrance RSL representatives will be out selling poppies and badges at stalls outside Aldi and on the Esplanade beside the newsagents, from Monday, November 4, through to Friday, November 8.
Proceeds from the sale of the poppies goes toward raising funds for welfare work so if you see the stalls around town please stop and donate.
