The poppy symbol spreads abroad

_Elsa_

There is quite a bit of information about the poppy symbol. Wow! To honor all veterans Elsa decides to have some poppies on hand the day of the parade for all her character friends.  

‘The wearing of the poppy was traditionally done on Memorial Day in the United States, but the symbolism has evolved to encompass all veterans living and deceased, so poppies may be worn on Veterans Day as well. Not long after the custom began, it was adopted by other Allied nations, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, where it is still popular today. In these countries, the poppy is worn on Remembrance Day (November 11). 

Today, poppies are not only a symbol of loss of life, but also of recovery and new life, especially in support of the servicemen who survived the war but suffered from physical and psychological injuries long after it ended.’ 

As she continues reading, she comes across a beautiful poem called ‘In Flanders Fields’ written by John McCrae. 

 ‘In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, May 1915 

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.’

(Info here) 

Let’s continue to the next part here - Elsa reads one more article

Start at the beginning – Elsa makes plans for Memorial Day 2020