History of the Poppy
The poppy is recognised as an everlasting memorial symbol to those who gave up their lives to defend our freedom in World War 1. It's origin stems from the poem penned by a Canadian surgeon named John McCrae in World War 1. The poem is called Flanders Fields. The poppy became a recognised symbol to honour the war dead when Moina Michael (an american war secretary) bought poppies to sell to her friend to raise money for servicemen after World War 1. In 1921, the Royal British Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol for the Poppy Appeal.
The poppy serves as a rememberance for all those service personnel who have paid the ultimate price to keep this land free and it is also provides hope for the future - that countries can resolve differences without resorting to war - we can only hope that these brave men and women have not given their lives in vain.
