We will remember Them
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From For the Fallen By Laurence Binyon
Today, in the UK at least, we remember the brave men and women who gave their live so that we can live ours with the freedom we treasure. We show our respect to the fallen by wearing a poppy. Today, I thought I’d tell you a little about how the poppy became the symbol of remembrance. Thank you to the Royal British Legion for this story.
The Western Front
During WW1, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. The countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. Previously beautiful landscapes turned to mud; bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow.
Fields of Poppies
There was a notable and striking exception to the bleakness - the bright red Flanders poppies. These resilient flowers flourished in the middle of so much chaos and destruction, growing in the thousands upon thousands.
In the Spring of 1915
Shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was moved by the sight of these poppies and that inspiration led him to write the now famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
The spread of the poppy as a symbol
The poem then inspired an American academic named Moina Michael to adopt the poppy in memory of those who had fallen in the war and she campaigned to get it adopted as an official symbol of Remembrance across the United States and worked with others who were trying to do the same in Canada, Australia and the UK.
Also involved with those efforts was a French woman, Anna Guérin who was in the UK in 1921 where she planned to sell the poppies in London.
There she met Earl Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion, who was persuaded to adopt the poppy as an emblem for the Legion in the UK. The Legion, which had been formed in 1921, ordered nine million poppies and sold them on 11 November that year.
Sold out!
The poppies sold out almost immediately. That first 'Poppy Appeal' raised over £106,000 to help veterans with housing and jobs; a considerable sum at the time. Today's Poppy Appeal? 40,000 volunteers distribute 40 million poppies.
Poppy popularity grows
In view of how quickly the poppies had sold and wanting to ensure plenty of poppies for the next appeal, Major George Howson set up the Poppy Factory to employ disabled ex-servicemen. Today, the factory and the Legion’s warehouse in Aylesford produces millions of poppies each year.
The demand for poppies in England continued unabated and was so high, in fact, that few poppies actually managed to reach Scotland. To address this and meet growing demand, Earl Haig's wife Dorothy established the 'Lady Haig Poppy Factory' in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland.
Today, over five million Scottish poppies (which have four petals and no leaf unlike poppies in the rest of the UK) are still made by hand by disabled ex-Servicemen at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory each year and distributed by Poppyscotland.
An enduring symbol
Remembrance in the UK today is very different than it was 100 years ago. People take part whatever their political or religious beliefs. The poppy remains a humble, poignant symbol of Remembrance and hope.
What’s on today?
Head & Eyes – GENUS Project - Genus Head - Classic Face - Mocap
Hair – DOUX - Meghan Hairstyle [M]
Skin – Not Found - Vivian Skin Sorbet (Genus)
Body, Hands & Feet – Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V4.1 [theSkinnery] Toffee Applier
Physics – Physics by Temptation -MAITREYA SUPER PACK.
AO – Vista Animations *HUD 5.33*-ERIKA AO NOFACE CURVY-V21
Tattoos – Lila TaTToo Color [CAROL G]
Shape – Not Found - Vivian Shape Modified
Nose Piercings – ^^Swallow^^ Indira
Nails – Ascendant – Lust Chain Nails 06 - Maitreya
Necklace & Earings – Real Evil **RE** Satine Set
Poppy – The Lazy Brit, Mesh Wearable Poppy - Remembrance Day
Dress – Zaara : Shae gown (maitreya) *crimson*
Shoes – Eudora3D Annette Heels (Maitreya)
NB – I chose the dress from Zaara as it's styled in a Southern Indian style. This year the Royal British Legion have produced a special poppy called Remember Together, it is made in rememberance and in tribute to the hundreds of thousands of men and women from all 53 Commonwealth Countries who made the ultimate sacrifice. The limited edition poppy is made with a deep red crystal face containing 53 facets. I wear this dress in tribute to those who gave their lives from all over the world.
Pictures taken at the respectful and beautiful Endless