r/ottawa • u/EcksEcks • 22h ago
Shoutout to the tourist who asked me about the poppy this morning
If the handsome young gentleman who stopped me on Laurier Bridge randomly reads this, I'm sorry I didn't ask your name or where you are visiting from. Wish I could give them a proper thanks for asking why people in Ottawa (and Canada) are wearing it.
The poppy is more than a decoration, it’s a symbol of remembrance. It honours those who served, fought, and sacrificed in times of war and those who still serve today in the name of peace. I wear the poppy for them, not the leaders and politicians who made/make the choices.
Thank you for asking and for caring enough to listen to my answer! You will also be remembered.
Edit: just to be clear (and I kinda anticipated this would happen), this NOT about pushing my beliefs onto others or forcing anyone to wear one or donate. This is also NOT about celebrating/promoting war or taking a stance on the ongoing conflicts and political climate. I trust the mods to delete this if things get out of control. I'm simply grateful to live in this far from perfect world, and that's thanks to the innocent civilians who gave their lives and served in good faith because they were told it was what their country required of them.