The A of Poppies

There are many types of artificial flowers manufactured, but none that carry the importance of the artificial poppy. This is because the artificial poppy is used in the United States to recognize Veterans of Foreign Wars, it is also used to remember the soldiers who died during World War I and can be seen sold and worn on the lapels of many Americans on November 11th. This is known as Remembrance Day and more popularly as Veterans Day, each year there are veterans groups and sell these poppies that are approximately 4 inches long and made of felt like paper.

This tradition of using the poppy for Veterans of Foreign Wars began after Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Royal Forces wrote this poem, the poem “In Flanders Fields” in 1915. This poem has since it’s writing become a very famous poem and one that is even a part of required reading for many school-aged children.

Through all of the years that the artificial poppy has been in use for the November 11th Veteran’s Day of Remembrance the funds from the poppies sold have gone to assist in funding some of the Veterans projects, such as the homes for old Veterans and helping disabled Veterans. These artificial flowers are sold for a nominal fee and displayed by many proud Americans by wearing them upon their lapel on November 11th. These poppies are red in color today and have been since they have been used for this purpose.

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