The Reason For The Red Poppy...

Here's a little more of history straight from the pages of the Farmer's Almanac.


Since World War I, poppies have been a symbol of remembrance at Memorial Day. The red poppy was used to symbolize the blood of those who died in service to their countries.

The idea started in 1918 when American Moina Michael read the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915 during World War I. She began wearing poppies in memoriam and sold them to others, using the proceeds to help veterans.

After World War I, veterans sold artificial red poppies to help raise money for French and Belgian war orphans. Today, donations to veterans’ groups are often marked with a token paper red poppy.

Tip: To prolong a poppy’s life as a cut flower, plunge the stem in hot water after cutting.

If you have a family member that was a veteran and is buried nearby, why not take this opportunity Monday, May 25, to visit their graveside and leave some flowers or a small flag or just a short prayer of thanks. The important thing is to remember everyone that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy. It's a small symbol, but it's an important one.

We must always remember that "Freedom is not free!"

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit on the patio...we can toast to all the Veterans, OK?