Memorial Day...Poppies

As a young girl in 4-H, my club participated in this 'holiday' by selling poppies.  I remember going to some of the neighboring small towns in Ohio to sell them.  Back then, it was an easy sale.

  At the grocery this weekend, there were two veterans selling poppies.  No one paid much attention to them. After leaving, I wondered just how many people understood what they were doing.  No, I didn't buy one, but that was only because I literally had no cash with me.

.   

I learned of the importance of Memorial Day and Veteran's Day from my father (whom I sometimes called Pop).  He was proud of his service to our country in WWII, as was my brother for his service in Viet Nam.  Fortunately, they both came home.  I'm sure that they both thought about the soldiers they fought with, who gave their lives for our freedom. 

In Flander's Field

by John McCrae

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.

For all who gave their lives,