May 25 is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember the men and women who gave their lives for our country. The Friday before Memorial Day — May 22 this year — is known as National Poppy Day.
But why poppies?
During World War I, Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields,” describing the red flowers blooming on a battlefield between crosses. After reading the poem, Moina Michael — known as the “Founder of the Memorial Poppy” — advocated for the flower to become a symbol of remembrance and honor for those lost.
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.
VFW Buddy Poppy program
Navy veteran (and Navy spouse!) Jenn Bennie recently made history as the first female-elected officer at her local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post in Collierville, Tennessee. Bennie — a former military pilot, historian, and also host of the “Walk with History” — was elected as junior vice commander to Post 5066, founded in 1930. She explained to Military Families Magazine the VFW’s popular Buddy Poppy program for Memorial Day remembrance.
