Red Poppies, Memorial Day, Peace, and Flanders Field

Since World War I, poppies have been a symbol of remembrance at Memorial Day (May 30 this year). The red poppy was used to symbolize the blood of  those who died in service to their countries. The idea started in 1918 when American Moina Michael read the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915 during World War I. She began wearing poppies in memorial and sold them to others, using  the proceeds to help veterans. After World War I, veterans sold artificial red poppies to help raise money  for war orphans. Today, donations to veterans’ groups are often marked with a token paper red poppy. So on this upcoming Memorial Day wear a red poppy to show honor and respect to our fallen military men and women..thanks! .... Happy Memorial Day!   LEST WE FORGET!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOsdGtBBTg

IN FLANDERS FIELD
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies grow 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.