REMEMBRANCE DAY;
Why the Poppy Flower?
The month of November is associated with Remembrance Day, which falls on November
11. In the US, Canada, Australia and the UK, poppies are often worn from the
beginning of November through to the 11th, or Remembrance Sunday if that falls
on a later date (November 13 in 2011). Wearing of poppies has been a custom
since 1921.
REMEMBRANCE
DAY;
Why
the Poppy Flower?
The
month of November is marked
|
|
During the
tremendous bombardments of the First World War the chalk soils became rich in
lime from rubble, allowing poppies to thrive. This John McCrae's poem In
Flanders Fields was published in 1915 the poppy became a popular symbol for
soldiers who died in battle.
Since then, the poppy has come to be associated with the memory of the millions who died on the battlefield in the World Wars.
During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. This idea was adopted in other countries including the UK and Canada where the practice is now known as the Poppy Appear. In November, 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada in memory of the estimated 116,031 of their countrymen who died in battle.
Since then, the poppy has come to be associated with the memory of the millions who died on the battlefield in the World Wars.
During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. This idea was adopted in other countries including the UK and Canada where the practice is now known as the Poppy Appear. In November, 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada in memory of the estimated 116,031 of their countrymen who died in battle.
Tradition to Remember Veterans
For most Americans, Memorial Day
signifies the beginning of summer and opportunity for remembrance of those who
have served our country during times of war and of peace. Officially, Memorial
Day was first observed on May 30,1968 and was originally labeled Decoration
Day. In the following years, by an act of Congress, the day of remembrance was
moved to the last Monday of each May and renamed Memorial Day. The tradition of
the red poppy has become a formality of Memorial Day which is often overlooked.
Inspired by a poem entitled, "In Flanders Fields", the
poppy has become the flower symbol for the Memorial Day Holiday. 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. Although
the poem was written by McCrae, the poppy was first recognized as the Memorial
Day flower in 1915 when a woman by the name of Moina Michael began to sell
poppies in an effort to encourage further recognition of the day. Michael
helped to begin the National Poppy movement and to commemorate her efforts a
3-cent stamp was created in her honor.
The poppy, by nature, is a wildflower. It's seed will lie stagnant
in the ground until it is disturbed. During times of war, soldiers would,
inadvertently, churn ground as they marched though fields. The result was a
beautiful and overabundant growth of poppy flowers found to flourish in
conditions where most other flowers would die. Also during war, poppies were
often used by physicians in administering morphine to soldiers in pain as it
produces a by-product opium painreliever.
For some local communities, poppies begin a month long Memorial
Day celebration. For example, In Georgetown, Texas, the annual Red Poppy
Festival celebrates the blooming of poppies as well as the Texas State Flower,
the bluebonnet. The Red Poppy Garden Club, based in Texas, promotes the growth
and care of poppies during a two day celebration during the last weekend of
April. By historical account, the poppy arrived in Georgetown through the hands
of historical war veteran, Henry Purl Compton. "Okra", as he was
fondly called, returned from service in the U.S. Army and presented his mother
with seeds from Flanders Fields. It is believed that, from these seeds, the
abundance of red poppies flourished on the slope of her property and later
spread into the community with the assistance of birds and bees and now marks a
celebration for Texas in the Austin area.
In honor of our veterans, planting a family of poppies in your own
garden is simple. Whether you live in a house, condominium or apartment, the
poppy is a flower that grows in abundance and is somewhat resilient in
inclement conditions. Poppies grow 12 to 24" in height with annual blooms
65-90 days in length. Poppies prefer full sun to partial shade and will grow in
moist soil but prefer well drained and slightly drier climates. Your first
blooms will show in early to mid summer. Keep weeds down with mulching and
water only during extended dry periods. By adding a general fertilizer once a
month, your poppies will provide beautiful blooms for your summer enjoyment.
So, begin a new family tradition and plant poppies this Memorial
Day in remembrance of the soldiers who committed their lives for our country
and for a daily reflection of peace and beauty.
in
conjunction with Remembrance Day, helps alleviate suffering and addresses the
needs of veterans and their families who may not have the financial wherewithal
for basic necessities.
The
Legion assists with purchasing medical equipment, awarding bursaries for needy
students, providing support services such as meals-on-wheels and drop-in
centres and helping with some basic residential repairs to name but a few.
So
much of the Legion’s work in our nation’s communities goes unnoticed.
Every
day this organization of more than 330,000 people makes significant
contributions, not only to enhance the lives of veterans, but also for seniors,
Cadets, Scouts and Guides, as well as serving members of the Canadian Forces
and RCMP and their families.
The
Legion remains fiercely proud to be Canada’s largest veterans services
organization.
Our
advocacy work on behalf of all who have served in the Canadian Forces and RCMP
ensures that they receive life-long support and recognition for their service
to this country.
Thanks
to their desire to give back, the Legion was created and continues to this day
to support our communities in countless ways.
The
Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign provides everyone with the opportunity
for practical remembrance and it is hoped that this year, with the recent
conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya as with our aging Second World War and
Korean Veterans, more Canadians will wear the Poppy than ever before.
There’s
more to the Legion than you might think.
We
care!
Find
out today how you can get involved by visiting your local Legion branch …
because you care; because you can.
Lest
We Forget.
—
Gordon Moore is the Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion —
www.legion.ca
In Flanders Field
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.
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.
John McCrae
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