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u Why wear A Poppy? By Don Crawford Public Relations orncer, Perth. Ont, Branch, R.C.I... “Please wear a poppy," the lady said And held one forth, but I shook my head. Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there, And her face was old and lined with care; But beneath the scars the years had made There remained a smile that refused to fade. A boy came whistling down the street, Bouncing along on care-free feet. His smile was full of joy and fun, “Lady,” said he, "may I have one?" When she’d pinned it on he turned to say, “Why do we wear a poppy today 9” The lady smiled in her wistful way And answered, “This is Remembrance Day, And the poppy there is the symbol for The gallant men who died in war. And because they did, you and I are free â€"- That’s why we wear a poppy, you see. “I had a boy about your size, With‘golden hair and big blue eyes. He loved to play and jump and shout, Free as a bird he would race about. As the years went by he learned and grew And became a man â€" as you will, too. “He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile. But he’d seemed with us such a little while When war broke out and he went away. I still remember his face that day When he smiled at me and said, ‘Goodbye, I’ll be back soon, Mom, so please don’t cry.) "But the war went on and he had to stay, And all I could do was wait and pray. His letters told of the awful fight, . I can see it still in my dreams at night With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire, And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire. "Till at last, at last, the war was won â€"- And that's why we wear a poppy, son." The small boy turned as if to go, Then said, “Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know. That sure did sound like an awful fight, But your son â€" did he come back all right .9" A tear rolled down each faded cheek; She shook her head, but didn‘t speak- I slunk away in a sort of shame, And if you were me you’d have done the same; For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed, Though our freedom was bought â€" and thousands paid! And so when we see a poppy worn, Let us reflect on the burden borne By those who gave their very all When asked to answer their country’s call That we at home in peace might live. Then wear a poppy! Remember â€"â€" and Give! Published by: BROCKVILLE BRANCH. ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION N0. 96 History of the Poppy NORTH LEEDS LANTERN Why was the poppy â€" the flower of the tremendous bombardments of that war lions who died on the battlefield. During lorgetfulness â€" chosen as the symbol of the chalk soils became rich in lime from 3 I920 visit to the United States a remembrance for Canada's war dead? rubble. allowing 'popaver rhoeas‘ to French woman. Madame Cuerin, The poppy. an international symbol , thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed. and the poppy began to disappear again. Lt.-Col. lohn McCrae. the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem IN FLANDER FlELDS, made the same con- poppies were distributed in Canada. nection lOO years later, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle. Three years later an American. Moina died. And neither have Canadians Michael. was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started for those who died in war. also had international origins. _ Awriter first made theconnection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the learned of the custom On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November I92 I , the first However, thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear flowers each November. the little red plant has never memories for I 14.000 of their country- men who died in battle wearing a poppy in memory of the mil- IN FLANDERS FIELDS A Iohn Mchae [1872-1918] 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 notsleep, thou h po ies row In Flanders fields. g pp 8 NOVEL‘IBER ON THE RIDEAUS The wind blows strong,the waves roll high; The clouds look cold,no sun in the sky; November he come with it's wintry chill; But there remains a memory of summer still. A few frozen leaves still cling the oak; The maples lie on the ground to soak; The birds have gone to the southern clime, T'is bleak and chilly here most of the time . But winter will pass with it's ice and snow; And folks will be glad to see it go, For spring will come to us once again As we bid farewell to winter's strain . We will welcome the warmth of the pleasant sun, For another season will have begun. The wind may blow but it's lost it's chill Flowers come to life,they have long been still. To those who hava travelled away from the cold, We send you a message brave and bold; Do hurry back to your summer home, For we tire of staying up here alone . By Lloyd L Irwin. Delta,0nt. 27