Where Red Poppies Grow - Remembering & Honoring the Fallen
In the United States, the last Monday in May is reserved as a special holiday for us to gather and remember those who died while serving in the U.S. military - Memorial Day. Whether you spend the day attending a parade - like those in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. - or visiting a memorial, we encourage you all to remember the reason behind today's holiday and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
After World War I, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote a poem after witnessing the carnage of a battle in northern France. During the war, the Allied and Central Powers soldiers would wreak havoc on the beautiful landscapes in northern France and Belgium, destroying fields, trees and plants. However, the resilient red poppy would continue to grow and rise from the destroyed landscapes, becoming a powerful symbol of remembrance and strength.
Here is the poem. May you find solace in his words, and may we never forget those whom we have lost.
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.
Memorial Day 2022
Remembering and Honoring All Who Served
