OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the Royal Canadian Legion presented the first poppy of the 2025 National Poppy Campaign to Her Excellency The Right Honorable Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. Dominion Legion President Berkeley Lawrence pinned her Poppy during the traditional event at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
“The presence of our Governor General as Patron Viceroy of the Legion is highly symbolic and we are humbled by her support,” Lawrence said. “Having her spend some special moments pinning Mackie to the veterans in attendance is also an important act of remembrance.”
The annual event marks the ceremonial start of the remembrance period and announces the upcoming National Poppy Campaign.
The Legion's Grand President, Vice Admiral (retired) Larry Murray, placed a poppy on His Excellency Whit Fraser, wife of the Governor General, and spoke about the history of the symbol. He highlighted several military missions in which Canadians served and made sacrifices.
“We are united in our memory of those who gave their lives,” he said.
As guests entered the hall, Rideau Hall displayed images reflecting the importance of wearing a poppy. The poppy is Canada's symbol of remembrance for fallen military personnel and RCMP veterans, and its image is the centerpiece of the National Poppy Campaign. Funds donated locally during the campaign are distributed locally to support veterans and their families and promote remembrance.
The Legion's National Poppy Campaign begins on the last Friday of October each year and officially begins on 31 October this year.
For additional official event images from Rideau Hall and any related media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
About the Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada's largest veterans support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada, as well as affiliates in the United States and Europe. With 270,000 members, many of whom spend enormous amounts of time in their affiliates, our strength lies in our numbers.
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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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