A Memorial Day Story

From the William E Debevoise, Jr. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1682

The Poppy & Poem Story

After WW I a poem emerged written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, who reportedly was inspired to write it after presiding over the funeral of his friend and fellow soldier 22-year-old Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. The poem gives voice to those soldiers buried in the battlefield, pleading with survivors to take up the torch of their fight, and to remember them even though red poppies now cover the battlefield. The poem gained widespread notoriety after McCrae was convinced to submit it for publication, and it was translated into many languages and published around the world. When American professor Moina Michael read the poem, she was so moved by it that she wrote her own poem in response, “We Shall Keep the Faith,” assuring that those dead and buried beneath fields of poppies that those still alive will take up the torch of their fight and “cherish the poppy red.”

A patriotic, active citizen, Michael had taken a leave of absence from her work to volunteer at the New York-based training headquarters for overseas YWCA workers as her way to aid in the war efforts. After the war was over, she returned to the university where she taught a class of disabled servicemen, soon realizing that these servicemen were in desperate need of financial and occupational support. She conceived of the idea of selling silk poppies as a fundraiser, and, in 1921, her efforts resulted in the poppy being adopted as a symbol of remembrance for war veterans by the American Legion Auxiliary' In the United States, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day (also known as Poppy Days), millions of red crepe paper poppies – all handmade by wounded veterans as part of their therapeutic rehabilitation – are distributed across the country by the American Legion Auxiliary in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans.

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.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

The Rockland Homes for Heroes Supportive Apartments for homeless veterans thanks the following for a very generous contribution of $1,000 William E Debevoise, Jr Auxiliary Unit 1682

Pam Colorito-President Ann Marie Smith-1st Vice President
Teresita Brennan-Treasurer Ellie Callahan-Sgt. at Arms
Diane Gotsulias-Chaplain Carol Farren Historian