B u d d y P o p p i e s

Symbolism of the Poppy

The red petals stand for the vast outpouring of blood;
the yellow and black center, the mud and desolation of all battlefields;
the green of the stem is symbolic of the forests, meadows and fields where generations of Americans have perished to make generations free.
The stem represents the courage and determination of our fallen warriors.
The assembled product, a flower, is a symbol of Resurrection, which is sure to follow.

The papaver rhoeus (or poppy to most of us) was brought to Europe by the Romans. The poppy thrived in the fields of Flanders. In 1915 Canadian Col. John McRae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields". In 1918 McRae died and among his dying words were "Tell them this, if ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep". American poet Moina Michael was so touched by these words that she vowed to wear a poppy for the remainder of her life. In France, Madame Yvonee Guerin proposed the women make artificial poppies to raise funds for the destitue and disabled. In America, disabled and hospitalized veterans began making the artificial poppies and it became a project of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The workers were paid a penny a piece for them. In 1924 the V.F.W. copyrighted the designation "Buddy" Poppy. The V.F.W. purchases the poppies from the disabled and hospitalized veterans who make them and offer them to the public for donation. All monies raised are returned to needy veterans and their families through various programs. The poppy is generally accepted as a symbol of remembrance of those who have died in wars.

In Flanders Field


In Flanders field where 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.

Col. John McCrae


Some of our poppy displays

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This page written and maintained by Jodi Nerney. Send me your comments.