Poppy Day to support military vets

Locally it is being run jointly by the South African Legion of Military Veterans Durban branch and Mills Bomb Shellhole. The public is urged to support as Legionnaires and Moth volunteers will be stationed at various shopping centres with collection cans.

“We appeal to the general public to donate generously. The annual collection and occasional bequests are a source of funding for the Legion who do much to support serving and ex-service members of the armed forces of all races,” said event co-ordinator, Steve Vorster.

Poppy Day is observed annually to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I, World War II, and other wars. The day is observed world-wide, though under various names. In Malta it is also called Poppy Day. In Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom it is known as Remembrance Day, in the United States Veterans Day, while France, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries call it Armistice Day, which was the original name of the day internationally. WWI ended on 11 November, 1918 with the guns stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This is why 11 November was chosen in 1919 as the day to remember war casualties.

Sunday, 10 November is Remembrance Day will be observed to pay homage to those who paid the supreme sacrifice in all past conflicts. Mills Bomb Shellhole and Picardy Bazooka Shellhole will hold a service at the Mills Bomb Shellhole in Warner Beach at 10am.