Children and adults may wonder why Red Poppies surface near Memorial Day. The Buddy Poppies date back to World War I.
Here are some common answers to the common questions that children, tweens and teens might have about the Buddy Poppy.
Did You Know the Buddy Poppy was Inspired by a Poem?
The Buddy Poppy was was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by World War I Colonel John McCrae. Colonel McCrae was a surgeon with Canada 's First Brigade Artillery.
By writing the poem McCrae was expressing his grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields.
Here is a brief excerpt from "In Flanders Field" by Colonel John McCrae:
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 shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The entire poem can be found on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Memorial Day page. Colonel McCrae's moving poem and the poppies mentioned in the poem became a rallying cry for those who had died during the First World War.
What do the Buddy Poppies Mean?
McCrae's striking imagery of bright red poppies growing in the rows and rows of white crosses of Flanders Field became a symbol of those who fought and died during in the World War I battles. The bright red poppy represented the blood shed by those who had died.
Since World War I the Red Buddy Poppy has become a symbol of remembering and honoring those who have died in the service of their country during any war.
Who Started the Buddy Poppy?
In the United States Georgia native Moina Michael, "The Poppy Princess" was inspired by Colonel McCrae's poem, "In Flanders Field." Mrs. Michael began selling poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.
Wanting to branch out on a larger scale, Mrs. Michael approached the Veterans of Foreign Wars for help. In 1922 the VFW had it's first poppy distribution.
According to the Official Site of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, soon after the first poppy distribution the Buddy Poppy became the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1922.
Who do the Buddy Poppies Benefit?
In the United States the buddy poppies benefit the disabled and needy veterans who assemble the poppies at various medical facilities and veterans homes by giving them a feeling that they are contributing. The disabled and needy veterans are also paid for their work giving them a form of financial assistance. Disabled and needy veterans have been assembling the poppies since 1923 to be distributed on Memorial Day.
Since it's inception in 1922, the Buddy Poppy program sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has raised millions of dollars to support veterans, their families and dependents.
Why Should I Donate and Wear a Buddy Poppy?
For a small donation you can get a poppy to wear as a tribute to those who have given their lives for the nation's freedom. It seems a small donation to make to honor those who have given so much for their country.
On Memorial Day when you get your own Buddy Poppy, remember to thank the Veteran who is passing them out. Wear your Buddy Poppy proudly to honor those who have died.
Wearing a Buddy Poppy is only one way that you can celebrate Memorial Day with your child, tween or teen discover seven more ways of celebrating and remembering at Memorial Day.
Kirsti A. Dyer - Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, health educator, professor, author and lecturer.
