Should the poppy be sold with a pin that doesn't fall off?

[Moonlight Graham]

Hundreds of trillions of billions [rough estimate] of plastic poppies litter our ditches, sewers, and alleyways after having fallen off our jackets and sweaters because of the rather cheap straight pin that does little to secure the poppy to our clothing. Does the poppy pin need a re-design so our poppies don't fall off, not to mention it being safer than having an exposed straight pin pointed at your chest? I say yes. Personally I try to replace my pin with a safety pin, bit it's annoying and looks like hell.

In this recent story, people are privately selling substitute lapel pins for poppies that don't poke or fall off, but Legion people are saying that this "defaces" the sacred symbol:

"You know it is defacing our poppy, and our policy is such that the poppy should not be defaced," said Maxwell, who also speaks for the Royal Canadian Legion's poppy and remembrance committee in Ottawa. His stance is in line with what's written on page 42 of the Legion's Poppy Manual — that the poppy is a 'sacred symbol of remembrance' and no other pin (except the pointy one that it comes with) should be used to attach it to your clothing."

Huh?!? I mean, I see why the Legion wouldn't want to change the pin. Firstly, it would be a bit more expensive for them to supply a more elaborate pin that stays on and is safer. It also benefits them when we lose our poppies because we have to pay them again to buy new ones. But seriously? I think it "defaces the sacred symbol" to when I see the poppy discarded and dirty on the ground after falling off somebody.

[Boges]

Actually yeah. I bought one to put on my jacket. Not on my jacket anymore for whatever reason. Won't by another one, I've done my part.

[Hal 9000]

If they say it defaces the poppy, then it defaces the poppy! Who are you/we to disagree?

P.S - Way to be supportive Boges!

[Boges]

Was it also defacing the poppy to have a green centre part then a black centre part.

[capricorn]

Was it also defacing the poppy to have a green centre part then a black centre part.

Changing the colour of the centre part of the commemorative poppy was a Royal Canadian Legion decision. The Legion is the organization in charge of the national campaign so, in my books, whatever they say goes. Lest we forget.

[BubberMiley]

I have a hard time paying $500 for a fancy Arcteryx waterproof shell and then sticking a hole in it.

[capricorn]

I have a hard time paying $500 for a fancy Arcteryx waterproof shell and then sticking a hole in it.

Times are tough.

[kimmy]

Seems like a lot for a shell, even if it's an Arcteryx. I'm toughing it out with less prestigious brands. And also, I won't be jabbing pins into my leather jacket either.

I gave the grumpy old Legion man some change last time I was at the drug store, hopefully it'll keep the guilt away for another year.

-k

[Wilber]

I have a hard time paying $500 for a fancy Arcteryx waterproof shell and then sticking a hole in it.

I won't put a poppy on a waterproof jacket either but I will wear it underneath or put it on a hat. My wife won't either, she pins it to the strap of her handbag.

— that the poppy is a 'sacred symbol of remembrance' and no other pin (except the pointy one that it comes with) should be used to attach it to your clothing."

And yet if you give a more than average donation to vets who are selling them, they give you a "We Remember" poppy pin that you can use as the centre of your regular poppy.

When you put your poppy on, stick the pin back through the edge of the poppy after it comes out of whatever you pinned it to. Not foolproof but greatly increases the odds of it staying on.

Edited November 11, 2015 by Wilber

[Bonam]

I have a hard time paying $500 for a fancy Arcteryx waterproof shell and then sticking a hole in it.

The $500 Arc'teryx shells are intended for use in alpine climbing not for wearing around town with your poppy...

[Topaz]

If they made them with a " stopper" at the end like some jewellery pins, then it wouldn't fall off.

[Big Guy]

Here is some information:

"1. Is it okay to change the pin?
The Legion’s position is that pins shouldn’t be substituted. That includes using a safety pin or a piece of rubber band to keep a poppy from falling off. The Legion also doesn’t like wearers using Canadian flag pins to hold on poppies but is a little flexible on this.
“It is undoubtedly better to wear a Poppy with a Canadian flag in the centre than not to wear a poppy at all,” the Legion states in its guidelines for poppy use.

2. Where is a poppy worn?
On the left lapel. The Maple Leafs have been taking to the ice recently with poppies painted on the left side of their helmets, and Maxwell says this is respectful, as well. “It’s the left side, close to your heart,” Maxwell says. “That’s the right idea.”

3. When should poppies be worn?
Poppies aren’t just for the traditional Remembrance Day period, which runs from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on Nov. 11. It is also respectful to wear them at other times of the year, including ceremonies to honour veterans, such as funerals.

4. Who should wear a poppy?
Anyone who wants to honour a veteran. The Legion notes that 117,000 Canadians gave their lives for freedom, which also means the freedom not to wear a poppy.

5. How many poppies is the correct amount to wear?
Whatever number seems appropriate for you, Maxwell says. Most people wear just one, but Queen Elizabeth II routinely wears several poppies when honouring the war dead. Sometimes people wear more than one because they want to honour several countries or several individuals, Maxwell says.

6. How should poppies be disposed of?
Placing them at a memorial for veterans at the end of Nov. 11 is particularly respectful. Reusing them next year isn’t."

Leaving your poppy at your local Cenotaph or Veterans Memorial is the most respectful. Be careful if you are dropping it into the garbage or disposing of it in another method because the metallic pins can create problems for animals, children and others.

[angrypenguin]

Times are tough.

Dem taxes yo.

[PIK]

Speaking of remembrance day we can thank harper for bringing the military front and centre. During the decade of darkness you would be lucky to have a 1000 people show up, today up to 50000 people showed up in Ottawa.

[Smallc]

Speaking of remembrance day we can thank harper for bringing the military front and centre. During the decade of darkness you would be lucky to have a 1000 people show up, today up to 50000 people showed up in Ottawa.

Actually, the Liberals commuted the military to Kandahar.

[Army Guy]

Try and bend the pin after you placed it through the fabric, you don't have to bend it much but it will help, also pin it through several times, leaving the end buried in material...to avoid it poking you.....

Burying a poppy helps our legions out, for many legions this is there main source of revenue.....legions ...who intern helps our vets and many other members in smaller communities out in many ways....

I just want to say thank you, for helping us to keep our promise to never forget those that have fallen in the service of their country....

[Icebound]

It is too late now, but for next year:

Your poppy will never come off again.....

Take an "rubber band", hopefully one that is about 1/4 inch wide... like might be used to roll up your newspaper when it is delivered.

Cut a short piece, like 1/4 inch long. Stick your pin through the shirt/coat then through the elastic, before bringing it back out again.

You can stick the pin through the elastic AFTER bringing it outside the coat, but you would like to have it high enough so that the poppy hides it and it doesn't show.