Thunder Bay’s Port Arthur Legion Branch #5 is recognizing a century of Canadians wearing the poppy to honour veterans.

The Legion held a ceremony Sunday to dedicate a plaque in honour of the anniversary.

The Vice President for Legions in the Northwest and Manitoba Robert Cutbush says the poppy is a key part of their work supporting veterans and their families.

“The Royal Canadian Legion has been distributing poppies every Remembrance day to raise funds. [After] 100 years, it’s going strong today and I see it going strong in the future as well,” added Cutbush.

The predecessor to the Royal Canadian Legions, the Great War Veteran’s Association in Canada, declared the poppy a symbol of remembrance during a meeting at the Prince Arthur Hotel in then-Port Arthur from July 4-6, 1921.

Past Legion President Del Babcock points out that the 1921 meeting was hosted by the Great War Veteran’s Branch #5, which would go on to become the Port Arthur Branch.

“It all ties in. It happened here in Thunder Bay, Port Arthur. It’s still happening today in Fort William, Thunder Bay, Port Arthur,” noted Babcock.

The plaque will replace the one currently displayed in the lobby of the Prince Arthur, which the Legion says will be moved elsewhere.