Poppy Motorcycle Plates

[Chrome]

Poppy-stamped motorcycle plates coming for vets

Updated: Wed Nov. 10 2010 4:18:33 PM

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Ontario's government says it won't forget the war veterans who ride motorcycles.

Starting next spring, they will be able to get poppy-stamped licence plates for their bikes.

Veterans have been able to get specialty licence plates for their cars and trucks since 2003, and the government says almost 33,500 have been issued.

The provincial government said earlier this month that it would add motorcycle plates to the popular veteran's plate program.

With the new motorcycle plates coming out in the spring, veterans should be able to have them on their bikes for next year's Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The government says the plates are free of charge to veterans but the Royal Canadian Legion charges a $5 fee to verify eligibility.

"These licence plates are a fitting tribute to the heroism of those who served in our armed forces and made sacrifices to defend freedom and democracy," Government Services Minister Harinder Takhar said Wednesday.

"Their bravery and dedication is an inspiration to all Ontarians."



                                   
                       

[csj]

Speaking of poppies (canadian way of honouring our warriors),
there is another way that canada shows respect. There is a sizable contingent of our soldiers in afghanistan, most of the fallen
are victim of the i.e.d.
When our fallen return for repatriation, they land at Trenton Ontario,
an airbase, then the remains are taken by motorcade from trenton
to Toronto by way of Highway 401, now also known as the highway
of heroes, (autoroute des heros, pour vous qui parle). Last year I was
riding the valkyrie down the 401 and somehow found myself
overtaken my that motorcade. Truly a humbling experience.
A huge number of canadians show up on the overpasses
to wave the red & white, as the motorcade passes.
A wonderful sight.
Sorry to hijack the thread, it seemed to fit in.

[Chrome]

Hi Csj I posted this U Tube clip awhile ago about our Highway of Heroes. Great clip.
Adrian

Highway of Heroes Tribute

[Jack]

 

[Big IV]

Speaking of poppies (canadian way of honouring our warriors),

So why a poppy? It is good that a soldier can show their service on their bike plate as well as their truck plate, but why is it a poppy?

[Dragonryder2]

Thanks for posting that again,  I didn't see it the first time.

It is very moving.

What a nice way to remember those who have fought for our freedoms.

thank you again Adrian

[chrise2469]

Speaking of poppies (canadian way of honouring our warriors),

So why a poppy? It is good that a soldier can show their service on their bike plate as well as their truck plate, but why is it a poppy?

The poppy is a symbol from the poem in Flanders Field by LCol John McCrae in WW1

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

It is a symbol for veterans both living and deceased since then.  On Nov 11, our Remembrance  Day, poppies are worn by the living and placed on the cenotaph's and graves of  those who have gone before us.

You will find the poppy on most of the veterans plates in Canada
http://www.bcpl8s.ca/Veteran-Canada.htm

Hope that explains the poppy for you (and I do have a Veteran plate on my car  with poppy)

Chris 

[solo1]

Poppies are sold through the Korean War Veterans Ass'n in the US although not as many as there once were. Thanks for the explanation as many don't know the significance anymore.

[GiG]

"When our fallen return for repatriation, they land at Trenton Ontario,
an airbase, then the remains are taken by motorcade from trenton
to Toronto by way of Highway 401, now also known as the highway
of heroes, (autoroute des heros, pour vous qui parle). ... .
A huge number of canadians show up on the overpasses
to wave the red & white, as the motorcade passes"

Very Cool -  I did not know that about the 401

Also didn't think it was a regional thing about poppies honoring Vets, but that has always been the custom in Michigan, too. Assumed it was universal...