Red Poppies on Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance day. A day to remember the members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. We remember the dead "lest we forget." People throughout Richmond and probably across Canada are wearing red poppy pins on their left lapels. Keeping the memory of the dead, close to their heart.

 Being a new Canadian immigrant, I wondered why the red poppies? I found out that the red poppies symbolize the blood spilled on the battle fields where poppies grew in abundance. The poppies are mentioned in a poem "In Flanders Fields" written in 1919 during the WWI by Lt. Col. John McCrae.  That's why the red poppies. Its a very touching poem and I thought I would share it here. So, here it goes.

  

In Flanders Fields 

By Lt.Col. John McCrae

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.