During WWI, Lieutenant John McCrae served as a surgeon tending to the wounded during the conflict that claimed the lives of approximately 8.5 millions soldiers. During this dark time, McCrae couldn’t help but notice that the vibrant red poppy began to spread across the fields. Capturing this sight, he penned the poem, “In Flanders Fields” which was originally published in Punch magazine and grew in great popularity. His words brought vivid imagery to those back home.
One of those in the States who was significantly influenced by McCrae’s words was Professor Moina Michael. She responded to “In Flanders Fields” with her own poem, “We Shall Keep Faith.” In allegiance to this faith, Michael committed to always wearing a red poppy. She then decided to make and sell fabric poppies to raise funds to support veterans. Taking it all a step further, she had a branch of the American Legion in Georgia assume the poppy as its symbol which eventually grew to recognition nationally.
In war-torn France, Anna Guérn made a similar campaign creating a National Poppy Day and selling similar artificial poppies to help with the restoration of their shattered country. By 1921, Guérin had moved her initiative into England where sales of silk poppies helped fund employment and housing initiatives for the thousands of veterans of World War I.
Today, the symbolic poppy can be found around the world, in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in war.
On National Poppy Day (the Friday before Memorial Day), when you see the Legion selling the poppies, know that the donation you make continues to support the medical and financial needs of active-duty and veterans as well as their families.
We at Chippewa Valley Growers, honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, those that have served, those that continue to serve, and those families that stand behind the service members. We invite you to not only show support through wearing a red poppy but also joining us during the national moment of silence at 3 PM local time on Memorial Day.
If you want more suggestions on ways to celebrate our brave or to learn more about what is happening at our Emerald City, please sign up to join our email list.
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.
We Shall Keep The Faith
By Moina Michael
Oh! You who sleep in “Flanders Fields,”
Sleep sweet—to rise anew!
We caught the Torch you threw
And, holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor 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
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
