The bright poppy wreaths still grace the war memorial.
The inspiration for using the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those fallen in war is thought to originate from a poem by Major John McCrae, written in his grief for his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died on the battlefield at Ypres in May 1915. They were serving in the same Canadian artillery unit.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.
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