Poppies will soon appear on jackets across the country in honor of Canadian veterans.

In Saskatoon, the 2024 Poppy Campaign was launched Friday at the Nutana Royal Canadian Legion, and campaign spokesperson Malcolm Young said the resulting donations would help veterans return to their daily lives outside conflicts.

“Over the last ten years, in and around Saskatoon, we have raised over $1.4 million,” Young said. “This money goes directly to supporting veterans and their families.”

Young said some veterans are matched with a service dog through donations.

“We provide money to support service dogs. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a reality among these military members,” Young said. “Service dogs are a vital part of the treatment and support we provide to our veterans. »

Young said when veterans return from conflict, they sometimes don’t realize the wear and tear that has been put on their bodies and minds.

“For some service members, it takes years for them to recognize or see these (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms manifest,” Young said. “Unfortunately…this results in their inability to live their lives the way they deserve.” »

“We help support veterans who are in need, who may need initial funds to care for themselves. »

The poppy symbol has also become one of the most recognizable symbols in Canada. It was adopted by the Royal Canadian Legion in 1921 as a symbol to commemorate the service of veterans and the sacrifices of fallen veterans, inspired by the poem On the field of honor written during the First World War by Canadian officer and surgeon John McCrae.

Flanders Fields was a battlefield near Belgium, where a million soldiers from more than 50 different countries were wounded, missing or killed in action.

The opening lines of McCrae’s poem read: “In the fields of Flanders the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row upon row.”

Young said what makes the poppy such a powerful symbol is the meaning behind it.

“The original intention was to wear it in support of November 11,” Young said.

“What came out of it was the poppy campaign and the need to recognize the importance of what November 11 East.”

Unfortunately, this comes with those who try to take advantage of it by scamming people.

“Everyone who picks up a poppy does so as a sign of respect,” Young said. “Some people try to take advantage of the emotion attached to the poppy and the sacrifice it represents.”

Young said these scams happen when someone tries to sell poppies online or over the phone.

Al Boyce, president of Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Unit 38 in Saskatoon, said the Poppy Campaign is very important to veterans.

“It’s not just about the veterans, but also their families,” Boyce said.

“If we help the family, we help the veteran. So we need to help both, because it’s hard for a veteran to do their job when they’re deployed if they don’t know how their family is taken care of.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

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