Thursday, November 4, 2021

Markham virtual Remembrance Day marks 100th anniversary of the Poppy

MARKHAM, ON – November 4, 2021 – Remembrance Day honours and remembers all who sacrificed or who have fallen for our country, and acknowledges the courage of those who still serve. For a second year, the City of Markham will mark November 11 virtually in order to protect our veterans and community from COVID-19.

From November 6 to November 14, the City of Markham sign will be coloured red to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance in Canada. First adopted by the Great War Veterans Association in July of 1921, symbolic use of the poppy continued after the group unified with other Veteran groups to form the Canadian Legion in 1925.

During this period of Remembrance, the City invites the community to contribute their memories to Markham’s virtual Book of Remembrance through the end of November.

On Thursday, November 11, the public is invited to watch the City’s virtual Remembrance Day video featuring original poetry readings by the winners of the City of Markham’s annual Remembrance Day Poetry Contest:

Empty Mercy by Luke Zhang, Grade 8 student at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School
A Field of Red by Angelina Wang, Grade 9 student at St. Robert Catholic High School
The Poppies Grew by Rida Zainab, Grade 11 student at Milliken Mills High School

“This Remembrance Day marks the 100th Anniversary of the Poppy as the official flower of Remembrance and I encourage Markham residents to purchase a Poppy in support of the Royal Canadian Legion and take a moment to reflect and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to serve our country in pursuit of freedom and peace,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “To the honoured veterans who are still with us, we say thank you. To those who have passed, we will never forget you.”

To provide time to reflect and space to participate safely, we invite the community to place a poppy and pay their respects to our veterans at Markham’s memorial sites during Remembrance Week, from November 6 to 13:

Markham Village Veterans Square and Cenotaph, Southeast corner of Markham Road and Highway 7, Markham Village
Crosby Memorial Arena Cenotaph, 210 Main Street, Unionville

Please remember to follow physical distancing guidelines, and to wear masks if keeping 2 metres/6 feet apart from others cannot be maintained. In-person Remembrance Day ceremonies will not take place at Markham’s memorial sites this year.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with over 351,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 corporate head offices and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 240 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.

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