Poppy

In April 1915 (95 years ago) a Battle-Weary Soldier – Colonel John McCrae, a Medical Officer on the Western Front in WWI, viewed the final resting place of thousands of young men who had fallen during a murderous battle in Belgium where Poison Gas was first used. As he sadly thought about those who had perished – each one marked by a lonely white cross – he heard meadow larks flying over the graves and saw little patches of red, wild flowers pushing through the battle-torn earth. He saw this as a message of Hope & Life amidst all this destruction and death! Inspired by this scene, he sat down by the hastily-dug graves and wrote a short poem entitled “In Flanders Fields” which brought to many a much-needed message of Faith and Hope in those very dark days of WWI.

Although Colonel McCrae never lived to see the end of that war, his powerful and heart-rending poem - written early in the war and after one, particular bloody battle – became an inspiration to millions and has lived on in the hearts and minds of generations to this day.

“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
Scare 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.”

Those little, red wild flowers were Poppies and they still bloom each spring in Flanders Fields. They are a symbol of the sacrifice and service of soldiers during time of war and they are also a pledge that we will not forget them.

Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans in hospitals around the country and each year – around Memorial Day in May – our Veterans distribute Poppies - asking people to wear them proudly to show support for our veterans - and using any donations we receive to assist local & needy veterans.

So wear your poppy proudly, recall the story of the poppy and its purpose in remembering our fallen soldiers by helping living veterans among us today!