Leslierahye's Thankful for Those Who Have Served Blog Hop - November 11th

Red poppy retains powerful symbolism

by Donna Teresa, Homefront Journal

In their unique beauty, flowers have accompanied us during times of happiness and great sorrow. One flower has remained a constant symbol of death, life and remembrance since World War I. The red poppy was immortalized in the famous poem, "In Flanders Fields," written by a Canadian officer, Col. John McCrae, a physician, who was inspired by the flower.

McCrae was intrigued with the poppy, which can lay dormant in the soil for years, and its ability to reappear in great numbers.

He immediately associated it and his deep respect for his veteran patients and deceased comrades and he wrote the poem for them. Eventually, the red poppy was used as a symbol of remembrance by the British and Canadian troops, and as a fundraiser to help their disabled veterans…

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.

I thank all Veterans

who served and are serving