Barbadians are encouraged to give generously to the annual Poppy Appeal as the official distribution of the poppies – a symbol of remembrance of the lives lost in World War I and subsequently World War ll – begins on Monday, October 17.
This year’s appeal will run for four weeks, and the funds raised will be used to assist with the veterans’ medical bills, house repairs, the provision of small stipends and daily meals, among other needs.
The Barbados Poppy Day League, familiarly known as the Barbados Poppy League, was founded by the then Governor of Barbados, Sir Charles O’Brian. Its mandate then was to raise funds for and take care of the needs of the island’s military veterans.
With the establishment of the Barbados Legion in 1957, the Poppy League became the fundraising arm of the Barbados Legion. The first poppies were sold in 1923.