Memorial Day and Poppies

Memorial Day was established in 1868 as a day of remembrance honoring those who have died in service to the United States of America.  It was first called Decoration Day for the practice of strewing flowers on the graves of veterans and draping homes and monuments with red, white, and blue.  Originally celebrated on May 30th the date has now been moved to the last Monday in May.

Moina Michaels is credited with creating the idea of wearing red poppies to honor veterans who died in service to their country.  She was inspired by and responded to John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields."  In 1915 she wrote her own poem about poppies.
           
            "We cherish too the poppy red
              That grows on fields where valor led.
              It seems to signal to the skies 
              That blood of heroes never dies."

  

In 1948 the United Post Office honored  Moina Michaels for her role in founding the National Poppy movement.  Today artificial poppies are manufactured by disabled veterans and worn as a symbol of respect and remembrance for our honored war dead.

"Vase with Red Poppies" by Vincent Van Gogh (1866)