wear a poppy over your heart!

You will see many people wearing a plastic Poppy (red flower) on their lapel (collar) these days (Nov 1st – 11th), in Canada, the UK and maybe some parts of the U.S.A.

November 11th is Remembrance Day (Veteran’s Day in the US) and it is time to remember the fallen soldiers who died in battle in various wars in our history.  The tradition started after the end of World War 1.

If you are not sure what wearing the poppy symbolizes, I can help.

1 – it is a symbol to remember the fallen soldiers who have fought for your/our country/freedom
2 – you wear it on your left lapel/collar, over your heart, but not on your right side
3 – it is not a symbol supporting war
4 – it is not a peace symbol
5 – it is not a fashion piece (although some people wear beautiful hand-made knitted ones!)
6 – money raised goes to help veterans (returned soldiers) live a little more comfortably
7 – You do not have to be born in Canada, UK or USA to wear one.  You can wear one to honour your own country’s losses in previous war.  It is about remembering fallen soldiers.
8 – It is a personal decision, but not a political or religious one.

For me, I wear a poppy every year, without fail.  My grandfather, Harold Phillips, fought in WW II, and survived.  His brother was not so lucky.  I wear a poppy to honour them and their comrades.  For me it’s close to my history and heart.  More information can be found here on the Poppy and the history:

https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy

A famous poem taught in school even today was written by a Canadian Medic in WWI named John McCrae.  The poem is about poppies growing in Flanders Fields.  It is called ‘In Flanders Fields’.

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.