The Poppy represents Remembrance Day in Europe and Canada. Memorial Day is, like Remembrance Day, a day to honor those who have died while serving in the Armed Forces. There is a famous poem, In Flanders Fields, written by John McRae in 1915:
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
between the crosses, row on row….
Memorial Day has become a day for picnics and family get-togethers, a sign that summer is about to begin. Stores use it as a merchandising opportunity, a chance to display all sorts of summery things in the hopes that you’ll spend your money there. For most of us, myself included, the real meaning of the day has become somewhat lost. So many, too many to comprehend, have lost their lives serving our country. Though I know that sometimes wars need to be fought, far too many of them never needed to be. And the loss is devastating.
It doesn’t seem right to say “Happy Memorial Day.” If we were really honoring what this day is all about, I should think the day would be rather solemn and reflective. I’m wondering: Has the meaning behind Memorial Day changed to just another Monday holiday?
Those are my thoughts today. What are yours?
My thoughts are with my brother who is serving overseas. While I so wish we did not have war, I’m so proud of him. He always wanted to join the National Guard and finally did at the age of 38. He quit smoking and made it though boot camp. He was then called overseas where he will be until Feb. 2013. He will turn 40 in a foreign country.
So he is very much in my heart and mind today.
-Barbara
As you said, we have Remembrance Day in Canada and wear red poppies to honour those lost to war. Remembrance Day is in November, which relates to the end of World War 1 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. When I was a child, there was no school on that day. Now, schools will hold an assembly marking the occasion. “In Flanders Fields” is generally an important component of such an assembly. I hope the tradition continues, “Lest we forget”.
I love how you’ve spotlighted your lovely red poppies to honor this special day Claudia. the images are beautiful.
Like you, I hold back saying ‘happy holiday’ because it seems so crass. More people need to remember the true meaning and stop a while to reflect during just another busy day/day off. Although I will be shopping later today – specifically at REI because it’s the last sale day and Bob needs something for the upcoming trip – I will also take some quiet time to reflect and remember with thanks ALL the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. War is horrendous in every way, shape and form – sadly they continue and I think always will.
Thinking of you and hoping your day is special in many small ways, making it lovely and peaceful around the cottage.
Warm hugs – Mary
Sad but true, I think..People, too often, don’t consider why they have a three day weekend..Memorial Day is indeed a time of reflection..Gorgeous poppies…
Sad but true, I think..People, too often, don’t consider why they have a three day weekend..Memorial Day is indeed a time of reflection..Gorgeous poppies…
I don’t know.. I see flags flying everywhere and I do think people for the most part understand the meaning of the day and honor it. I also think any time families or people in general come together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company , it’s a good thing. Not enough of that happens anymore. So… if it’s a “celebration”, so be it… as long as Veterans lost and presently serving are honored in some way.
Thank you Claudia. We love our service people. Most my brother’s served…all my uncles. My father and step father also. Thankfully all came home safe. xo, susie
I have a lot of poppies here and I love them. I agree with your last paragraph. Seems too somber an occasion to wish happy day to someone, but still, many families do celebrate, so that should be happy.
Have a great day!!
XO Kris
Lovely, Claudia. This morning I went to the cemetery where my Mom & Dad are buried. Every Memorial Day a Mass is celebrated at the cemetery to honor those who have served and to remember those who the parish had lost in the previous year. I stood at my parents’ grave and listened to the service and to the hymns being sung. After the service, names of those were were lost this past year were called out, and I heard my dad’s name. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm, but not hot. The flags on my dad’s, and all the other veterans’ graves, softly swayed in the beautiful breeze. It was a lovely morning and made me so thankful for so many things… Donna
When I got my poppy on Saturday from the lady in front of the grocery store…I remember. My Mother told me about the poppies years ago, she always had one hanging from her purse strap or her rear view mirror. As I remembered I wondered to myself as I looked around the parking lot at the people….do they know? Thanks Mom for making sure I do remember what they sacrificed so many years ago.
My father, a WW II vet, always referred to Memorial Day as “Decoration Day,” and we always put up a flag to commemorate those who gave their lives in service. I think when Congress moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday of May to give us another 3-day weekend, some of the meaning of the day changed. I do see flags flying in my neighborhood this weekend, so I think the somber meaning of this day is not completely lost.
My Dad was a career Marine and so this day always makes me think of the young men and women who serve our country every day! Love the Poppies!
hugs, Linda
I agree. Every time I found myself saying Happy Memorial Day there was a check in me, so I stopped. I found myself thinking of the families, too, of those that gave their lives. My hero came home from the war, and for that we are forever grateful. xo
I’m guessing having the day off put the happy in the occasion. I imagine only those truly touched by deployment, war, tragedy view it as it is meant … a day to remember. And, of course, those who realize that freedom does not come so easily. Have a wonderful week, Tammy
Well said, Claudia! Except that I wish you had finished writing the poem. We memorized this poem in grade school and every year on Remembrance Day, I recite it out loud to myself many times a day. I would like to write it out here. It’s a beautiful, poignant poem!
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.
Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes when I recite these beautiful words. I can see the battle field before my eyes and all that went on in that battle field. I think that reciting this poem is a wonderful way to remember the dead who gave up their lives so that we may live in a free world!
I’m with you on this one Claudia. Today was rather sad as I remembered my stepfather who served in world war II as a combat medic. I felt kind of down today but then I have to go back to work after having 10 days off for vacation.
Well, I don’t forget what this day is about. When I read the heart-wrenching words that John McCrae put to paper, it makes me tear up. War is such an ugly thing and I wish we could find a way to end it.
My grandfather, father and father-in-law, all served time in the military. My uncle, an Airforce test pilot, was killed. Two of my nephews are currently serving (Marines and Army) and one is in Afghanistan right now. We pray every day that he comes home.
Your poppies are spectacular! They are one of my fav flowers; ours bloom at the very first of spring. When I see the buds swelling up I know warm weather is just ahead.