In May of
1915, during the First World War, Lt. Colonel John McCrae presided over the
funeral of a friend, a fellow soldier killed in the war. He was inspired to
write "In Flanders Fields". Moina Michael was so moved by the tribute
that she purchased a bouquet of poppies and handed them out to businessmen
meeting at the New York YMCA where she worked. This was in November 1918, after
WWI had ended. She later led a campaign that resulted in the adoption of the
poppy as the national symbol of sacrifice.
Each year
for Memorial Day and Veterans' Day, the American Legion Auxiliary gives out
paper poppies in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and
hospitalized veterans. When you see that nice lady standing outside the bank
with a bouquet of "fake flowers," be sure to stop and give a
donation. Our veterans, past and present, deserve all the support we can give.
(information
posted above taken from the American Legion Auxiliary website)
IN FLANDERS
FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- Lt. Col. John McCrae
Technically, this is the wrong kind of poppy; these are Iceland Poppies. In Flanders, they would've been Oriental Poppies (red with a black center). But this is my own photograph of poppies we grow & sell. They seem a fitting tribute despite their color.
