Poppy T-Shirt Sale Raises Eyebrows & Ire As Remembrance Day Nears
Over the last two years, Joe Wilson claims he’s raised over $15,000 to make plaques honouring fallen Canadian soldiers. But it’s the way he’s done it — selling t-shirts that depict a poppy-like flower — that has members of the Royal Canadian Legion seeking to halt his sales.
"Everything that these soldiers fought for in World War II was for our freedoms," Wilson stresses.
"For everything I sell.I purchase name plaques for guys who were killed in action that day."
According to the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, however, they own the trade mark to the poppy image and they’ve asked Joe to cease and desist, claiming it is illegal to make a profit off of the poppy.
Joe makes less than $2 gross for each shirt he sells, but according to aging vets, it’s not about the cash, but the principle.
"Despite the good intentions it’s still a commercialization," said vet Reg Wright.
"The money should go into the poppy fund because he is using the poppy," adds fellow soldier Mike Vencel.
Joe claims his flower isn’t even a poppy, but a peace flower.
That argument doesn’t’ hold much weight to lawyer Adrian Kaplan.
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http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_4993.aspx
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