Posted on 11/11/2009 11:01:33 AM PST by SandRat
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Nov. 11, 2009 – Ever wonder what the significance is of the little red flowers that the Veterans of Foreign Wars hand out? What are they and what do they mean? The answer to the first question is simple. They are poppies. Red-flowered corn poppies.
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Poppies have long been used as a symbol of both sleep and death: sleep because of the opium extracted from them, and death because of their blood-red color. In Greco-Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead. The bright scarlet color symbolized the promise of resurrection after death.
One of the most poignant symbols of the cost of World War I is the cemetery at Flanders Field in Ypres, Belgium. In the nearly 150 cemeteries in this area, row upon row of crosses and headstones mark the graves of the some of the one million U.S., European and Australian soldiers and civilians who gave their lives in almost four years of combat on the salient near Ypres. More than 54,000 crosses mark the graves of unknown dead.
Among the rows in the gardens of stone, life and resurrection spring forth in the form of the red-flowered corn poppy, a common plant in Europe. Canadian surgeon and soldier, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields" May 3, 1915, after witnessing the death of his friend, Lt. Alexis Helmer.
In tribute to the opening lines of McCrae's poem, Moina Michael vowed in her 1915 poem "We Shall Keep the Faith" to always wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in the war. Thus the plant became a symbol for the dead World War I soldiers.
Veterans groups in England, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States have adopted the red poppy as not only a symbol of remembrance of the sacrifice of veterans who have died but of the continued sacrifice that veterans make in service to their countries.
While serving a year in Iraq, days may seem to pass with little difference from one to the next. We try to mark important holidays through decorations, barbeques, picnics and concerts. These celebrations help to remind us of our loved ones and of our rituals and normalcy back at home. Still, the significance of holidays and celebrations may be lost in our separation from what makes them so dear.
Veterans Day is not one of those holidays. In fact, being in a combat zone reminds us of the sacrifice and service that make this holiday so significant. Strip away the barbeques. Get rid of the days off. Take down the red, white and blue bunting and the patriotic parades. What do you have left? You have the essence of this somber day. Remembrance.
What are we remembering? We remember that by the signing of the Armistice at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 marking the end of World War I, more than 20 million from over 26 countries were dead.
We are not alone in this remembrance. In many parts of the world people take a two-minute moment of silence at 11 a.m. as a sign of respect for people who died in the war.
When you see the simple and humble poppy, think about the sacrifice of the veterans who have come before you and the ones that will follow. Though poppies grow, we should not sleep. We should remain vigilant and remember.
(Army Capt. Capt. Dayna Rowden serves with Multinational Division South in Iraq)
Poppy ping! Thanks for teaching me.
When I was a little girl growing up in Southeast Alabama, I “sold” poppies on the square to raise money for the American Legion for many years. Everybody gave money, even the poorest would give at least a penny. This was in the 50’s and early 60’s.
Poppies grow best on turned ground, the trench lines
of WWI were disturbed by the heavy shelling, not to
mention the high nitrogen content of the explosives.
For the men in the trenches, the sky and their immediate
surroundings were all they could really see, so the
abundance of poppies came to play a great part of
their memories.
I remember the KOYLI on this day.
Even the most liberal Brits wear red poppies all day on “Armistice Day”. It really melts my heart.
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.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
‘Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
‘Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’
Author Unknown~
I have similar memories of poppies “sold” as a fund raiser by both the Legion and VFW. I grew up in southern KS in the 60s.
Thanks for the ping. The article is very moving.
Thank you for posting “In Flanders Fields.”
Touching poem.
Yes, it is moving. And I learned something new this week. One of the reasons I love FR.
Thank you for that. I live near a Revolutionary War battlefield and am working to get the Commission and other interested parties to plant poppies there. This piece will help towards that goal.
This is my favorite poem of all time. I memorized it a long time ago and have never forgotten the words.
In fact, I love the war poems that came from the Great War.
Until I lived there I had no idea that every city, town and village in Britain has a monument to their WWI dead since practically every family lost some-one and in the smaller villages the entire adult male population was wiped out.
American children couldn't tell you even one fact about WWI. Its so sad.
Thank you SandRat for your service and updating us on Iraq’s progress.
WE SHALL KEEP THE FAITH
by Moina Michael, 1918, inspired by Flanders Fields
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
When it gets time for planting contact a Boy Scout Troop near you to help. In fact contact the Local Boy Scout District that covers your area and they may round up a number of Scout Troops to help. Might even have you make a presentation asking for their help at a Scout Roundtable (the adult monthly training session).
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