What's with the Poppy?

The First World War ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

In Flanders, Northern France, the lands were completely devastated after battle after bloody battle. The red poppy was the only thing which was found living and growing on the fields. Inspired by the sight, John McCrae from Canadian Armed Forces wrote this poem in 1915.

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.

Armistice or Rememberance Day, which falls on the 11th of November, is also known in the UK, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere, as Poppy Day. Prior to Rememberance Day, the Royal British Legion has been holding its annual fundraising event - the Poppy Appeal - since 1921.

www.poppy.org: "More than 11 million people are eligible for the Legion’s support which extends to all men and women who have served in the British Armed Forces as their dependants. The charity undertakes a wide range of welfare and resettlement work including grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.

Remembrance transcends all boundaries. The Legion seeks a small yet important individual and collective act, a rare moment when the Nation can stand together and reflect on the price of freedom. That price is still being paid. More than 12,000 British Servicemen and women have been killed or injured on active service since 1945.

If we are to maintain our peace and freedom, we must always remember."

What with the conflicts in Iraq and wars still being fought, the Poppy is as relevant today as it was 90 years ago. The next time somebody approaches you with a Poppy, buy it. It's not so much of how much you give but how you wear it. Wear the Poppy with pride, and remember those who gave their lives for freedom.

posted by Husky @ 11/04/2004 11:43:43 AM  |