The dos and don'ts of wearing a poppy

A woman purchases a poppy in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. (The Canadian Press / Justin Tang)

We wear poppies for the Canadian men and women who have died in service, but there are certain dos and don'ts when pinning one on.

Mo Sabourin joined the Navy when he was 17-years-old. As a Canadian veteran, the meaning of the poppy is significant.

"The red poppy is the blood that my buddy shed on the battle field. And the black part of the poppy is the dirt that he was buried in. And we must never forget-- lest we forget." Sabourin says.

The Royal Canadian Legion says that poppies should always be worn on the left side of a shirt or jacket, not on a collar or a hat. And it is considered disrespectful to wear anything other than the black centre in the middle of your poppy.

"I always grit my teeth when I see someone take a pin or something and put in there and hide the black,” Sabourin says, “But at least they're wearing a poppy."

Similarly, poppies of other colours are frowned upon by the veterans. In previous years, the legion, who owns the copyright on the poppy’s colour and configuration, has denounced a white poppy put out by peace groups, calling it disrespectful.

Proceeds from poppy sales are collected in a fund to assist veterans. You can also text 20222 to make a five dollar donation.

With files from Cally Stephanow