MEMORIAL DAY and RED POPPY DAY

 

Papaver rhoeas, known variously as the
Flanders poppy, corn poppy, red poppy and corn rose. 

Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, is a day to remember and honor those who died in active military service. Veteran's Day, observed on November 11th, honors those who have served in the past, present, and even pays tribute to those who will serve in the future. In the United States, the poppy is not traditionally worn on Veterans Day but on Memorial Day, to commemorate the lives of those who died fighting for their country.

May 28, 2021, is National Poppy Day.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms. 

How did the Red Poppy become a symbol of remembrance?

The Remembrance Day symbolism of the poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian who served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit in World War I, tended to the wounded near the front of the fighting. Many were killed on both sides during a battle that featured the first use of chlorine gas by the Germans. McCrae lost a close friend in the fighting.

The intense red poppies growing in the broken ground of battle made a deep impression on him. This was the inspiration for his poem, “In Flanders Field,” in which he used the voices of the fallen soldiers buried under those hardy poppies.

On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion. The American Legion Auxiliary  distributes poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower donate to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs. 

“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae 

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.

 **********

Rosemary is the "herb of remembrance." Pin a sprig of fresh rosemary alongside your Red Poppy

Are you interested herbs? Check out the Herb Sampler on this Blog 

It has a list of the meanings of herbs and how to make nosegays or "tussie-mussies" .

The Second Edition Herb Sampler (2019) is now available at Snavely's Garden Center in Chambersburg or through Amazon.