The reason for red poppies

World War I was unlike any other previous war. The Great War took an unprecedented toll of 40 million soldiers and civilians as the it ravaged the landscape of Europe.

But out amongst the rubble, beautiful red flowers began to grow and take root, much like a forest being reborn after a fire.

The flower soon became a symbol for those who lost their lives, following the publication of a poem called “In Flanders Fields.”

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was a doctor in Canada when he volunteered for WWI. He served as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit.

McCrae, like so many others, witnessed the horrors of trench warfare during the Second Battle of Ypres where he tended to the wounded after the Germans unleashed chlorine gas for the first time.

An astounding 87,000 Allied soldiers were wounded, killed or went missing during the battle. McCrae’s friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was among those who lost their lives that day. Amazed at the resilient poppies pushing through the war-torn ground, McCrae became inspired and wrote the poem entitled, “In Flanders Fields.”

The poem spread like wildfire after it was published in December 1915 in Punch Magazine. Since then “In Flanders Fields” has been in used in countless memorial ceremonies and has become a staple in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

Luckily McCrae was able to see his poem take flight into fame before he passed away in 1918 from meningitis and pneumonia. Since then “In Flanders Fields” has been in used in countless memorial ceremonies and has become a staple in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

Then all the way in Georgia, a professor by the name of Moina Michael read “In Flanders Field” in an issue of Ladies’ Home Journal and became inspired by the hardy flowers.

Soon after reading the poem she began making her own red poppies out of fabric and sold the fabric flowers in order to raise money for returning veterans.

Eventually Georgia’s branch of the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol for remembering its veterans.

On the 27th of September, 1920, the red poppy was voted to be the official flower of the National American Legion to “memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war.” Then in 1924 the American Legion made the distribution of poppies a part of its national program.

Today other countries such as Belguim, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand wear the flowers on Veterans Day to commemorate the anniversary of the 1918 armistice.

In the United States, the tradition became wearing the red poppies in remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives to protect our country on May 28, the Friday before Memorial Day.

“In Flanders Fields”

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.