Today, on Veterans Day, you may see members of the American Legion Auxiliary stationed at grocery stores or other businesses around town, giving away crepe paper red poppies (for a small donation). Or, you may see others wearing a red poppy in support of veterans and active duty service members.
Veterans make these poppies as part of therapeutic rehabilitation; money received from donations goes toward helping disabled or hospitalized veterans.
Why a Red Poppy?
More than 8.5 million soldiers died during World War I of battlefield injuries or diseases. As the battles consistently tore up trees and plants and upset the soil, an odd phenomenon occurred—the prevalence of a deadly bacteria in the soil, Clostridia, which encouraged red poppies to grow—in abundance. Those scouring the battlefield for wounded or dead soldiers often found the proliferation of poppies underneath the bodies.
The red poppy became even more symbolic when Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote a poem, “In Flanders Fields,” referring to the fields in Belgium. The opening line: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row…”
Then, Moina Michael, a professor at the University of Georgia, read the poem and vowed to always wear a red poppy to support veterans. She convinced the Georgia American Legion to adopy the poppy as its symbol, and in 1920, the National American Legion designated the poppy as the national emblem to honor all who died in the war.
In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
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.
Veterans Day History
On Nov. 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the day to honor those who helped end World War I. It was then known as Armistice Day; armistice is Latin for ‘to stand (still) arms.’
The date, November 11, was initially chosen to signify that the fighting in World War I officially stopped in the 11th month, the 11th day, and at the 11th hour of 1918.
In Wilson’s own words:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solid pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
World War I had officially ended June 28, 1919, when Wilson and the prime ministers of France, Great Britain and Italy, along with represenatives from Australia, Canada, India and others, signed the Treaty of Versailles. Fighting has ceased when an ‘armistice’ or temporary stoppage to fighting, took place. The First Armistice Day: November 18, 1918.
It was a day of parades, celebration, and a brief cessation to businesses. However, U.S. Congress did not officially recognize the end of World War I until 1926, at which time it also declared the U.S. flag be displayed on all government buildings on November 11.
But it was Raymond Weeks, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, who conceived a legal holiday to honor all veterans. In 1947, Weeks, who founded the National Veterans Day Volunteer Organization, organized a National Veterans Day parade and celebration in Birmingham, Alabama. This was the first time the phrase ‘Veterans Day’ was used. Weeks, who thought the day should honor all veterans, petitioned President Dwight Eisenhower. U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas sponsored the bill, and in 1954, Eisenhower issued a proclamation, replacing the word, ‘armistice’ with ‘veterans.’
The first Veterans Day Proclamation stated in part: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose” (History of Veterans Day).
In 1968, to provide federal employees with a three-day weekend, the Uniform Holiday Bill was enacted, creating Monday federal holidays for Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day, which first took place Monday, Oct. 25, 1971. Many people believed the historic significance of the day should be preserved, and in 1975, then president Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-97, restoring the day to November 11.
In 1982, Weeks, known as the Father of Veterans Day, received the Presidential Citizens Medal from then President Ronald Reagan. Weeks died in 1985, but his vision of parades and celebrations are now annually observed throughout the nation.
Observances and Traditions
The focal point for the nation’s observances is Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
According to The Origins of Veterans Day, at 11 a.m., “a combined color guard representing all military services executes ‘Present Arms’ at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays ‘Taps.’ The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.”
Other observances include ceremonies at the National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Vets Memorial and the U.S. Navy Memorial. Many towns hold ceremonies either on the day or the weekend before. Many national parks have connections to the military and host Veterans Day observances as well.
Ways to Honor Veterans
- Visit a VA Hospital: if there are none nearby, visit an assisted living or nursing home facility—talk with veterans and learn about their time of service.
- Wear a Red Poppy: To show support for and honor veterans and active duty service members.
- Invite a Veteran to Speak: At school, place of business, service organization.
- Encourage Teachers to Develop Lesson Plans: If you have a school-age child, talk with his or her teacher about including the day’s history in class.
- Recognize Veterans in the Workplace: Consider a themed coffee-break or short program to recognize each veteran employee.
- Invite a Veteran or Service Member to a Home-Cooked Meal: Invite your neighbor or someone you know to enjoy a home-cooked meal.
- Express Thanks: Whenever you see someone in uniform, express your gratitude for their service.
- Support Veteran-Owned Businesses: Information may be available through area chambers of commerce.
- Send a Card: Start compiling a list of names and addresses of veterans or deployed service members you know; make it a yearly tradition to send a thank-you card or small gift each year.
Remember the Poppy
If you receive a red poppy this year, instead of keeping it in your car, your purse, or worse—throwing it away—remember the significance and wear it! Veterans will thank you.
Resources
- McCrae, John. “In Flanders Fields,” 1915. Poetry Foundation, retrieved Nov. 4, 2024: In Flanders Fields | The Poetry Foundation
- Pedene, Paul, Nov. 7, 2018. Honoring America’s Veterans; “11 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day to Honor Those Who Served,” retrieved Nov. 4, 2024: 11 WAYS TO CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY: HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED
- Pruitt, Sarah, May 25, 2017. History Channel: “The WWI Origins of the Red Poppy as a Symbol of Remembrance.” Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024: The WWI Origins of the Poppy as a Remembrance Symbol | HISTORY
- Zurski, Ken., Nov. 8, 2019. Unremembered History: “Raymond Weteks: the Father of Veterans Day.” Retrieved Nov. 3, 2024: The “Father of Veterans Day” « UNREMEMBERED
- Office of the Pubic and Intergovernmental Affairs: The Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Official Website of the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs: Retrieved Nov. 1, 2024: History of Veterans Day – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
