Each November, Poppies begin to appear on the lapels and collars of Canadians and by November 11th, Remembrance Day, this number will grow to include half of Canada’s entire population.
This great tradition honouring those who died in World War I is mostly attributed to a poem, In Flanders Fields, written by a Canadian soldier serving in Belgium at the Battle of Ypres in May, 1915. But, there was also a woman, an American schoolteacher named Moina Michael, who also deserves great credit for starting the tradition of the Poppy as the universal flower of remembrance.
In Flanders Fields – Lt-Col. John McCrae – Canadian Armed Forces
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John McCrae was among the first Canadians to volunteer to serve in the First World War. A doctor, he was a brigade surgeon, and in April, 1915 found himself in some of the worst fighting of the war at the Battle of Ypres in Belgium – 
an area that was traditionally called Flanders. Treating hundreds of wounded and dying soldiers there, he observed “we are weary in body and wearier in mind. The general impression in my mind is of a nightmare.”
It was during this continuing battle in May, 1915, following the death of a close friend that Lt. Colonel John McCrae wrote his famous poem.
The poem, only 15 lines and written in just 20 minutes, managed to capture the exact sights and sounds of the battle raging all around him. Lt.-Col. John McCrae left Ypres with his poem scrawled on a scrap of paper only after another soldier retrieved it from a ditch where McCrae had thrown it thinking it worthless.
Richard Jack depiction of the 2nd Battle of Ypres - Apr/May 1915
Later that year, McCrae was convinced by friends to submit his poem for publication. He submitted it to The Spectator in London, but it was rejected. It was then sent to Punch, where it was published on December 8, 1915. Sadly, John McCrae died of pneumonia at Wimereux, France on 28 January 1918. He was 45 years old.
The origin of the red poppy as a symbol of Remembrance was the inspiration of an American woman, Miss Moina Michael – The Poppy Lady.
While working at the YMCA Overseas War Secretaries’ headquarters in New York City in November 1918, Moina Michael happened to read John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” that was published in the “Ladies Home Journal”.
In her autobiography, “The Miracle Flower” she recalled feeling as if she was actually being called in person by the voices which had been silenced. She made an immediate pledge “to keep the faith and vowed always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and as an emblem for keeping the faith with all who died".
Moina Michael was determined to put all her energy towards getting the Poppy emblem adopted in the United States as a national memorial symbol. During the winter of 1918/1919 Moina Michael worked tirelessly but by 1920 she was beginning to lose hope that the Memorial Poppy idea would ever come to fruition. It was soon after that both the Royal Canadian Legion and the American Legion were formed and both, at her urging, adopted the Remembrance Poppy.
Flanders Fields as it is today
So, thanks to the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrea, and the tireless efforts of American schoolteacher, Moina Michael, the wearing of poppies in the days leading up to Remembrance Day in November remains extremely popular in Canada. I’m not sure if this custom is as popular in the United States since Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. How does that work?
Poppies left at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa
Finally, in advance of Remembrance Day, thanks to all veterans, both Canadian and American, with a special thanks to my blogger friends who have served in the military. I’m not going to name ‘names’ for fear of missing anyone, but, you all know who you are, so thanks! Your service is greatly admired and appreciated by everyone!
Have a great Friday, and thanks again for visiting!
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