Memorial Day 2012:”Poppy”-The Official Flower

The Poppy is the official Memorial Day Flower. Poppies grew in abundance in the battlefields of Belgium during World War I. It bewildered some as to how the flowers could grow in such a landscape. It was determined that the overturned soils of battle covered them and created a growth environment. Some feel it was a reminder of the blood that was shed during that and future wars. During this time, 1915, before the US entered WW1, “In Flanders Fields” was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian forces.

“In Flanders Fields“

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.

On this Memorial Day 2012, InMotion Hosting Remembers and Salutes our fallen heroes.