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MEMORIAL DAY & THE POPPY

By Ika Frogel
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The Story Of The Poppy & Memorial Day History

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICEHappy Memorial Day. Read about it's history and the poppy! 

 

Many ask why the poppy is a symbol for Memorial Day.  No one tells the story better than THE POPPY FACTORY website.  Here are a few excepts from the History and Evolution of THE POPPY FACTORY.

THE POPPY FACTORY TEAM is still hard at work producing POPPIES to generate jobs and encourage donations to the veterans.

THE POPPY FACTORY TEAM

THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY

After presiding over the funeral of a friend who died in the Second Battle of Ypres, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was inspired to write the famous war poem, In Flanders Fields. The poem contains the famous lines, “If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields”. 

An American Professor and humanitarian named Moina Michael wrote a response to McCrae’s poem entitled We Shall Keep The Faith in 1918. She vowed to always wear a poppy as a symbol of Remembrance for those who served in the war. Michael realised the need to provide financial and occupational support for ex-Servicemen after teaching a class of disabled veterans at the University of Georgia, and pursued the idea of selling silk poppies to raise funds for them. 

The website has created a timeline that is a quick read about the journey and those involved over the years to keep the symbol alive to generate jobs and support.  Take a few minutes - just click the link.   READ THE TIMELINE FROM 1922 TO TODAY.

This is the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae that inspired the POPPY movement.

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.

Buddy Poppy Organization

Excerpt from  https://www.vfw.org 

The red poppy has connected generations of veterans, service members and their families with civilians in remembering all those who have fallen. And for more than 75 years, the VFW's "Buddy"® Poppy program has honored those who have sacrificed by raising millions of dollars to support veterans' well-being.
THE BUDDY POPPY PROGRAM

By Ika Frogel