Poppy Day

In Canada, Britain, South Africa, and most Commonwealth countries, in the days leading up to the eleventh day of November, Remembrance Day, there are very few people walking along the streets who are not wearing a poppy.  People sell them on every street corner and inside a lot of stores.  There is no set price – any donation will do.    The proceeds go to support the Armed Forces.

“Poppies”, you might well ask.  “Why poppies?”    Dr.  John McCrae was a physician and poet from Guelph, Ontario, Canada.  He fought in the First World War in the Ypres region of Flanders in Belgium and watched as many of his friends were killed.  He was amazed that very quickly after they buried someone, poppies would spring up.  The damage done to the landscape in Flanders during the battle greatly increased the lime content in the soil, leaving the poppy as one of the few plants able to grow in the region. It was after burying a good friend that Major McCrae sat down and wrote what we now know as ‘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.

Yes, grateful we are for all of these brave men who have fought – some having given their lives – for freedom in the world.  Carry the torch we must – the torch of freedom.

Remember to take a moment of silent gratitude – the world does it at 11:00 am but anytime will do.

With love,