Poppy Day: Saturday 9 November
Armistice Day – better known as Remembrance Day – is commemorated on 11 November, when we pay tribute and honour those men, women and animals who have served in wars, and those who have died in the line of duty.
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed since the end of the First World War in 1918. In recent years, around the world, people are encouraged to wear poppies for the first fortnight in November to remember all those who have been affected by war and conflict. This is known as Rememberancetide.
There are places to purchase poppies on Saturday morning: SA Legion tables will be set up in:
Durban: Avonmore Spar; Windermere Shopping; Southway Mall; Glenwood Village
Queensburgh / Bluff: Queensmead Mall; Bluff Hillside; Bluff Spar
Hillcrest / Kloof: Shongweni Farmers Market; Hillcrest Corner: Checkers; Oxford Food Market; Lillies Quarter Shopping Centre; Kloof Spar
Waterfall: Linkhills centre; Watercrest Mall Superspar; Waterfall Mall; Waterfall Oxfords; Waterfall Mica
Durban North & Umhlanga: Kensington Square; Checkers Virgina Circle; La Lucia Mall; Sunningdale Centre, Eastman’s Spar Glenashley..
The Legion depends on volunteers to “sell” poppies to be worn as a visual reminder of those who have perished and suffered in war. Poppies will be exchanged for a donation. All monies received are used to assist veterans and their families in need. Typically red poppies signify lives lost, and purple poppies signify animals who gave their life in the line of duty.
The SA Legion, a non-profit organisation, obtains permission from the Municipality to raise funds by public collection in and around Durban and environs on Poppy Day, the second Saturday in November – this year, on Saturday, 9 November.
In South Africa, Remembrancetide commemorations are spearheaded by the South African Legion – a national organisation, part of a world-wide family that addresses the needs of ex-service personnel and their dependents by way of housing, pensions, employment and general welfare. It is apolitical, non-sectarian, non-racial, non-sexist and non-partisan. Established in 1921, it is the oldest military veterans’ support association in the country.
Apart from promoting the Poppy Campaign in early November, the Legion manages properties in greater Durban offering subsidised accommodation to former servicemen and women. With the community of former servicemen and women dwindling with every passing year, the Legion will be transitioning to offer accommodation to men and women who share the philosophy, values and standards held by the SA Legion. The Legion is regularly involved in community events to raise awareness and finances to support the work that they do.
For more information, or to purchase poppies or to offer to collect at a shopping centre in your area on Poppy Day, please contact Brad or Jeanette on 031 205 0578 or email admin@salegion.durban
Good to Know
1. Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) is always on 11 November – this year Monday 11 November.
2. Remembrance Sunday is the Sunday closest to 11 November, usually the second Sunday in November – this year Sunday 10 November.
3. Poppy Day is the day (always a Saturday) before Remembrance Sunday – this year Saturday 9 November.
Lest we Forget!
Purchase Poppies On Saturday
