The Resilient Poppy

By: Sharon Martin

The poppy of wartime remembrance is the red corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas.

The first connection of the poppy and battlefield deaths was made during the Napoleonic wars in the early 19th century. It was noted that fields, which were barren before battle, were filled with bright red poppies soon after the fighting ended.

Before World War 1 very few poppies grew in Flanders. During the war the once chalky soil became enriched with lime due to war related rubble, causing the poppies to thrive. Every spring during the war soldiers on the front lines noticed an increasing number of poppies that were growing on their comrades' graves.

Lieutenant Col. John McCrae a Canadian medical officer, made the connection again during the first world war as h e scribbled the lines to the famous poem "In Flanders Fields". The blood red poppy very quickly became the symbol for remembering the thousands of men and women who died not only during the first world war but other wars as well.

Every November poppies bloom in profusion in Canada. Colonel John McCrae would be proud to know that over 13 million poppies adorn the coats, jackets and hats of half the Canadian population and that Remembrance Day services are held in schools throughout the country to ensure future generations will not "forget".

Once the seed is sown it must be tended. John McCrae set the seed and the relentless work and dedication of the Royal Canadian Legion with their Poppy campaign, awareness and education programs, have "tended it well".

To Those Who Have Died
Throughout the world
poppies are worn
To remember the dead, the wounded, the forlorn,
The doves now proudly fly above,
A peaceful field, free of guns and blood.
We are the living. We will remember
The ultimate sacrifice you have rendered.
The torch is ours and we'll hold it high
Our faith is bound to you who have died.
Please rest in peace
And know
That poppies will forever grow.

By: Sharon Martin

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918),Canadian Army

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.

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