Remembrance Day poppy campaign hasn't started, but you can wear the pin

The events of this week have left many Canadians wanting to show their support for those in uniform, and in some cases that includes the desire to wear Remembrance Day poppies now.

Across the country at cenotaphs and monuments, Canadians have been dropping off flowers and leaving notes, expressing grief and sympathy for the loss of the two soldiers killed this week in Quebec and Ontario.

• Cpl. Nathan Cirillo's body taken to Hamilton along Highway of Heroes
• Patrice Vincent, soldier killed in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, was close to retirement

Thousands lined the Highway of Heroes in Ontario Friday to honour Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who was killed by a gunman in Ottawa on Wednesday, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was killed in a targeted hit-and-run in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Monday.

There's nothing in the book that says when you start wearing a poppy or when you can wear a poppy.- Jim Howard, Vancouver Poppy Fund

The desire to show solidarity seems to be leading to early requests for another traditional symbol of remembrance — the poppy pin, which is traditionally worn across the country in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.

The B.C. and Yukon Legion told CBC News people have started asking for poppies already because of the week's events, but poppy pins aren't usually available until the last Friday in October.

In fact, the Legion has a bylaw saying it can't launch the annual poppy pin fundraising campaign before that time.

Jim Howard, coordinator and spokesperson for the Vancouver Poppy Fund, said the bylaw can't be changed in time this year, but there are ways around it.

"Although we can't market them, we can give them away," he said. "And there's nothing in the book that says when you start wearing a poppy or when you can wear a poppy."

While veterans and volunteers won't be outside stores accepting donations for poppy pins until next Friday, anyone who wants one can pick up a poppy pin for free at any B.C. and Yukon Legion branch right now.

Officials just ask that you donate later, when the campaign is officially underway.

Will you be wearing a poppy early this year?

Tell us about your decision in the comments below, or tweet us at @cbcnewsbc.