Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have.
Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have.
I wanted a VW Bug for years. They are round and compact and tweak memories of my teen years. One month before my Father died at the age of 93 he bought me a VW Bug: Brand new, white with a beige interior and a little plastic vase to hold a flower right next to the steering wheel.
My Father was a World War II veteran. Every year he would buy red poppies from The Veteran of Foreign Wars and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers who gave them out for contributions for disabled and hospitalized veterans and their families.
I hadn’t seen or thought about poppies in years until 2 months after Dad died. Outside the grocery store an elderly man was selling poppies. I gave him a donation and received a poppy. Since then it has shared space in the little plastic vase in the Bug my Dad gave me.
A brief history of the artificial poppy
In the World War I battlefields of Belgium, poppies grew wild. The overturned soils of battle enabled the poppy seeds to be covered, allowing them to grow and to forever serve as a reminder of the bloodshed during that and future wars. The poppy movement was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” written in 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian forces in 1915 before the United States entered World War I
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. By 1918 the poem was well known throughout the allied world. Moina Michael, an American woman, wrote these lines in reply.
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.
She then adopted the custom of wearing a red poppy in memory of the sacrifices of war and also as a symbol of keeping the faith.
The poppy became a nationally known and recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn to honor the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars.
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CURIOUS to the MAX 
J, I reposted the original Epiglottitis on my face book page, couldn’t find the link. by the way, I don’t get the washing the shirt reference, do you mix me up with my twin, MO by any chance??!! 🙂 The dad story I definitely want to hear, my dad is with me too. love, Laurie F not MO
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LaurieNOmo,
I’m a lot of other things but I’m not mixed up! It was washing my CAR. There must be poltergeists in your computer.
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make sure you google the Science Times (New York Times Section) today. big article on sinus troubles. I’m really confused about your car or your shirt or my posts or yours but hey, it’s a beautiful day and what’s a little confusion among friends? Laurie F. aka LaurieNOmo
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My dad was stationed in the Phillipines as well. I remember growing up – a red poppy always hung on the mirror. I haven’t seen a poppy in years … I believe the men and women deserve so much from us and our country for their bravery, dedication and sacrifices.
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Becca,
It is almost hard to fathom men and women who are that dedicated and willing to sacrifice. I , never got the brave-gene. thank goodness others did. Hopefully some day people will no longer be fighting but loving instead. Afraid not in my life-time.
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What a wonderful & enlightening story. Thank you for sharing Miss J and Thank You to all the men and women who have so valiantly fought for this country…..Thanks Daddy, Thank you Grandpa………♥♥♥ ~
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Linda,
Thank YOU for being such a wonderful supporter. I believe we all fight for justice, love and compassion – each in our own way.
xxxxxxx J.
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LOVELY tribute to your dad and all the men and women who have fought for us. Again, I ALWAYS wanted the VW bug! I coveted a yellow one, still do. I don’t like the new models at all they are sleeker and sporty. Another coincidence, so funny. Enjoy your bug and your dad’s love for you as he looks down at you from a different place, his heart still filled with love.
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Laurie F.
I debated about a yellow, green or white. I decided on white because it can go the longest without showing dirt. I’ll have to find the post for you about how I wash it!
xxxxxx JnoMO
My Dad IS always with me . . . that’s a long story I’ll tell you sometime in person.
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First time I learn about Memorial Day and why poppies are special. Thanks to your brave Dad! 🙂 Hugggs
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Rea,
My Dad was stationed in the Philippines during the war.
xxxx J.
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Thanks to your Dad a whole lot more! And to Becca’s Dad too! They both have a lovely and cool daughter 🙂
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Judy, what a wonderful story, I never heard how the poppies came to be. We used to love to get them when we were kids, and I still look forward to the old Guys selling them on the corners.
Sweet story about your Dad.
mo
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Maureen,
I didn’t know the whole story until now either. I never liked history in school. Now I’m old enough to have my own history . . .
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