11/07/2013

Poppy Day



Photo by RNA's Culdrose
Poppy's on crosses
Should you be watching BBC news or any current British TV you will notice red poppies on the left lapel of men’s jackets. From the end of October until Remembrance Day on November 11th, the British can be seen wearing Poppy’s in tribute to those who have died in the line of duty. November 7th is London Poppy Day. More than 2000 volunteers representing the RAF, Army and Navy will help collect donations throughout the city for the Royal British Legion. 

In America we celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11th. This day was specifically dedicated in Great Britain to remember the armed forces that died in World War I by King George V. The very first Armistice Day ceremony took place on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. World War I was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. A staggering 37 million people died and Great Britain lost 2.19% of its population or 995,939 people.
Photo by Hobvias Sudoneighm
The Red Poppies became the symbol for Remembrance Day due to the poem, "In Flanders Fields" written in 1915 by a
Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who wrote it after the funeral of his friend soldier Alexis Helmer.

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.