November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. -
the 11th day at the 11th hour of the 11th month in the year 1918
the world celebrated the end of World War I.
That day was then known
as Armistice Day; In the United States, it is now called Veterans Day.
In England, this day
is known as Remembrance Day and is symbolized by the poppy. On the English battlefields of Flanders, the
only thing that grew on those fields were poppies. John McCrae, a doctor with the Canadian Armed Forces, seeing these flowers dotting the fields where soldiers had given
their lives, wrote a poem named, In Flanders’ Fields.
The poem so inspired an American War
Secretary, Moina Michael, that she began selling poppies to raise money for
ex-servicemen. A postage stamp has been created to honor her work in recognizing service men through the poppy. The tradition continued
to grow through the work of Major George Howson, an infantry officer, who
formed the Disabled Society. These
disabled men and women of WWI could easily create an imitation poppy that was sold
to others as commemorations to be worn on Remembrance Day. The proceeds from the poppies helped supportthe ex-servicemen. Poppies are still
worn on lapels, hats, and clothing.
Poppies are placed on graves, in wreaths, and upon cenotaphs as symbols
of remembrance.
In Flanders’ Fields by Lt.
Col. John McCrae
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 amidst 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.
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