In an article titled “Red Poppy Retains Powerful Symbolism,” Donna Teresa describes a physician’s non-clinical contribution to a Memorial Day symbol – the red poppy.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“In their unique beauty, flowers have accompanied us during times of happiness and great sorrow. One flower has remained a constant symbol of death, life and remembrance since World War I. The red poppy was immortalized in the famous poem, ‘In Flanders Fields,’ written by a Canadian officer, Col. John McCrae, a physician, who was inspired by the flower.
McCrae was intrigued with the poppy, which can lay dormant in the soil for years, and its ability to reappear in great numbers.
He immediately associated it and his deep respect for his veteran patients and deceased comrades and he wrote the poem for them. Eventually, the red poppy was used as a symbol of remembrance by the British and Canadian troops, and as a fundraiser to help their disabled veterans . . .
The red poppy tradition made its way to America where the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion have embraced the power of the flower to raise money to help veterans in need.
Today, the American Legion’s “Memorial Poppy” and the Veterans of Foreign Wars “Buddy Poppy” programs, with the help of their tireless volunteers, raise funds close to Memorial Day and Veterans Day and sometimes throughout the whole year.”
To read the rest of this article, please the Veterans Today website.
