VISITFLANDERS invites Canadians to plant a virtual poppy

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - In advance of Remembrance Day, and just over 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War (WW1), VISITFLANDERS has launched a virtual 'Worldwide Poppy Field' to honour and commemorate the millions of lives claimed by the Great War.  More than 60,000 Canadian soldiers gave their lives in WWI, the equivalent of 260,000 today.

Coinciding with the commemoration of the Great War Centenary 2014-2018, VISITFLANDERS invites Canadians to plant a virtual poppy, symbol of remembrance, and join in creating a virtual poppy field that is truly worldwide. 

The application, which is hosted on VISITFLANDERS' newly launched Facebook page 'Flanders Fields 14-18', already contains over 7,000 names of real people who lost their lives during the Great War. Each virtual Poppy tells the story, and pays respect, to one soldier or civilian. Canadians can also pay respect to family who perished in WW1 by planting a poppy on their behalf.

VISITFLANDERS is asking Canadians to help recognize those 60,000 lost by planting a poppy on behalf of their loved ones. By 2018, the hope is to have commemorated every soldier who died in World War One. This small but significant gesture will help ensure that the Great War will never be forgotten.

Members of the worldwide application can choose to honour a family member who fought and fell by uploading a picture and information about their story. Alternately, the application will assign a name of one soldier who passed during the war. Pictures appear alongside the name of the fallen person on the worldwide map for others visiting to explore.

Canada Joins the War…
Just over 100 years ago, the First World War broke out in Europe.  Over the period of four years, from 1914-1918, Flanders Fields in Belgium was one of the scenes of some of the worst battles of the First World War. Forever captured by Canadian John McCrae's war poem, In Flanders Fields, the region of Flanders marks the resting place resting place for more than 14,000 Canadian soldiers who fought and raised Canada's profile as a nation on the international stage.

About VISITFLANDERS
Visit Flanders is the first port of call for information and advice about promoting the Belgian region of Flanders. Visit Flanders provides general support materials; posters, images, DVDs for staff training or client road shows, assists with educational and press trips and keeps you informed with regular newsletters. For more information visit http://www.visitflanders.com

SOURCE: VISITFLANDERS

Lisa Perruzza, GCI Group on behalf of VISITFLANDERS, 416.486.2563, [email protected]; Through social: #Flandersfields1418; Facebook.com/FlandersFields1418; Twitter.com/VisitFlanders; Flickr.com/VisitFlanders