Ode to the Papaver Rhoeas
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"Oh plastic poppy. Every November I manage to stab myself with your metal pin, forcing me to cautiously move around as you sit precariously upon my front pocket."
Okay… enough of that.
In all seriousness, I'm quite proud of the poppy tradition on Remembrance Day, particularly because of its Canadian roots. As you probably already know, the poppy arose as a symbol of wartime remembrance because of the poem In Flanders Fields, which was written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915. McRae wrote the poem on a scrap of paper during the Second Battle of Ypres, inspired by the death of his friend, Lt. Alexis Helmer. A few years later, the Royal Canadian Legion initiated the Poppy Campaign as a fundraising program, which continues to provide direct assistance for ex-service people in financial distress, among other purposes.
In my humble opinion, the poppy is one of the few symbols that Canadians truly embrace. It's recognized by many other (former) Commonwealth nations as well, but it is a custom that is practiced in all parts of Canada every year. For a federal country such as ours, which is as multicultural and diverse as you can get, that's pretty inspiring.
So, with that said, Happy Remembrance Day! God bless the men and women who gave everything for the sake of future generations.
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