http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Remembering_the_Veterans_20121031_02

Remembering the Veterans

The Sri Lanka Ex- Servicemen's Association (SLESA) launched the annual Poppy campaign on 27th September by pinning the 1st poppy on the President at a ceremony held at the Temple Trees.

World poppy day may go by many names such as Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Poppy Day, Armistice Day and even Independence Day in some countries. The red Poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "'In Flanders Field". These Poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour, an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

Under the theme of "Wear a Poppy-Show Your Concern" The entire world has been commemorating the Poppy Day annually, since 1921. History says that soon after the end of the Second World War, 11th of November had become the "Day of Remembrance" of War Heroes and it is always celebrated on Sunday, adjacent to 11th of November. In this year 11th of November will fall on a Sunday.

The funds collected by selling poppies will be utilized to fulfill the requirements of service personnel who need the collaboration for their existence as well as the welfare measures such as financial assistance for medical needs and educational needs of their children.

As the general public of the country we can offer our contribution by buying Poppy flowers, bouquets of Poppy flowers and tills from the SLESA Headquarters in Colombo.

The main commemorative ceremony will be held on 11th November at Vihara Maha Devi Park Cenotaph under the patronage of the President.