RED POPPIES: A TRADITION TO REMEMBER VETERANS

Inspired by a poem entitled, “In Flanders Fields”, the poppy has become the flower symbol for veterans. From the poem, written by Canadian physician and soldier John McCrae, we develop a sense that the poppy represents the blood shed by soldiers during times of war.


You can get your red poppy at the
WWI Poetry Digital Archive at [Frideswide].

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
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.
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I'm thankful for my grandfather who was a veteran.
My father who is a veteran.
My brother who is a Marine.
And all those who serve and who have served.
THANK YOU