Friday was the launch of the 2017 poppy campaign in Saskatchewan.

A ceremony was held earlier in the week with Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield, where she was presented with the first poppy in the province.

Reverend Al Hingley with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 in Humboldt says that the poppy has been adopted as the widely used symbol of remembrance.

"There is no possible way of thanking them, other than to remember them. We need symbols to help us remember, and the poppy has been adopted to help provide that," he explained.

Hingley adds that proper etiquette for wearing the poppy is on your left side, and should only be worn until noon on Remembrance Day, November 11.

"Please don't replace the center with a Canada flag or something. The black center is significant too because that is the colour of remembrance in many cultures."

He says that although you don't purchase a poppy, it is customary to make a donation, which helps veterans.

"Money raised from the poppy donations is used for veterans support," noted Hingley. "There is a national poppy fund, and veterans with various needs make applications to the fund."

Poppies are available at retail outlets, with Hingley adding that the Humboldt Army Cadets will also be out in the community offering them.

November 5 to 11 is known as Veterans Week, in the lead up to Remembrance Day.

Hingley says that the latest statistics show there are approximately 69,000 surviving veterans from the Second World War and the Korean War, with 600,000 veterans from battles in the years following.

There are about 105,000 men and women currently serving in the regular forces and the reserves.

The City of Humboldt will host its annual Remembrance Day service on November 11 at St. Augustine Parish Centre.