Remembrance Day

November 1, the kids and I noticed that the news anchors on the BBC and people on the talk shows were wearing a red flower.  Then, on Monday I looked it up online and then one of my sons came home with one pinned to his blazer....

In the UK the red flowers that they are wearing are poppies, it is worn in preparation for Armistice Day, or what we call Veterans Day.  It is observed on November 11 as the end of Word War I. The armistice with Germany was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  The poppy has become the symbol of the day due to the following poem called In Flanders Field:

In Flanders fields the poppies glow
      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.

It was written by Major McCrae a Canadian solider after a nasty 17 day battle at Ypres.  After the first World War, poppies were observed growing on the freshly dug graves of the soliders in France and in Belgium as well.  Major McCrae died in 1918 due to injuries sustained during battle.

An American Ms Michael was inspired by his poem and wrote her own poem.  She resolved to wear a "Flanders Poppy" every year in remembrance.   Ms Michaels' idea was taken back to France by Madame Guerin, and the tradition spread quickly through Europe.  The two women met at a YMCA conference in New York City.  Ms Michaels gave then gave them out to ex-service men and her co-workers at her office in the YMCA of New York.

"We Shall Keep The Faith"

Oh! You who sleep in Flanders’ fields,
Sleep sweet – to rise anew;
We caught the torch you threw;
And holding high we kept
The faith with those who died.
We cherish, too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valour led.
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders’ Fields.
And now the torch and poppy red
Wear in honour of our dead
Fear not that ye have died for naught
We’ve learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders’ Fields.

The poppy was officially adopted 2 years later by the American and British Legion.  But now, it is mainly seen in Commonwealth countries.  The funds raised are used to help disabled and injured soldiers.  This year the British Legion is hoping to raise £40million.  There is a poppy  factory that was started in 1922 in the UK, and it has been moved once.   It is still in production today.  The factory only employs former serviceman.

The poppies are sold for 5p in the schools and at the local supermarkets.  Because the paper flowers are not very robust, I went to a local grocery store found the pins that are not paper and I bought all of us one to wear and to take home for our own remembrance.  I bought my poppy pin from a little gentleman, who is part of the British Legion.   I was rewarded with a M'Lady and as you may know, I was completely delighted to hear that salutation!

In the US where the tradition started, it has been greatly diminished, I am not sure that I have seen one worn or sold in my life time.

Thank you to the all soldiers that have served and still are serving....