Poppies: The Importance of Rememberance

The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day.

In World War I, poppies bloomed all across the fields and in between the trenches in Flanders, despite all the ground destruction. Their brilliant red colour seemed to be an appropriate symbol for all the blood that was spilt during the war. Inspired by the sight of the crimson flower blowing between the crosses, Canadian soldier John McCrae wrote the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" after witnessing the death of his friend on May 3, 1915. Later in the year, inspired and moved by this piece of poetry, an American history professor named Moina Michael vowed to wear the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. This is what started the tradition of wearing a plastic poppy over your heart in the weeks leading up to and on Armistice Day. The red of the poppy represents the blood shed by the courageous soldiers who fought with all their heart and might in defence of their country…for our freedom.

Unfortunately, many people do not know why we wear the poppy or what it represents.

"People in general are not really educated enough about the poppies and they don't really care to learn either."

- Rita Bowers, 2010.

Many children do not understand why the poppy is significant. This may be because of a lack of emphasis on behalf of their teachers or parents in educating them about what it represents. Much fewer young people buy and wear poppies. Some veterans have even been turned down from certain shopping malls or super markets when they requested permission to sit and sell their poppies for Remembrance Day. This is a very serious issue. Are people turning a blind eye to the sacrifice paid by so many? They lay down their lives for us. It is the least we can do to wear a poppy and take a few minutes out of our day to quietly reflect...

...If we don't remember them, who will?

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.

- John McCrae