Greetings, ACP. As many of you might have seen Mondo has done a post similar to this which you can find by clicking here however hopefully my post will be able to show to you the story of the remembrance poppy and the meaning of it on armistice day and remembrance Sunday which I believe only Britain has.
What is the Remembrance Poppy and what does it symbolise?
The remembrance poppy is worn as a symbol of remembrance and hope for not only those who died in the first world war and the second world war on all sides but for today’s generation who are fighting in conflicts.
History of the Poppy
The remembrance poppy is inspired by a poem called ” In Flanders’ Field” written by Lt Col John Mcrae in which he talks about how the poppies were the only flowers that were growing after all the fighting that took place; this gave hope to the troops on the western front which is why the remembrance poppy helps to symbolise hope.
In Flander’s field by Lt Col John Mcrae
“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.”
In 1921, the Royal British Legion was formed and they sold nine million poppies from an American academic Moina Micheal and they sold out immediately – the money generated from selling the poppies went to helping WW1 veterans finding employment and housing, this is still done today as money generated from selling poppies is used to rehabilitate injured troops as well as helping them with finical and emotional support.
“They shall no grow old as we that are left grow old: age shall no weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”
Super Edwin
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