What is the significance of poppies for Memorial Day?

by Cassandra Crosby. My office is filled with art work depicting poppies. read more

Today, the American Legion Auxiliary distributes crepe-paper poppies in exchange for donations around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In Hong Kong—which was formerly part of the British Empire—the poppy is worn by some participants on Remembrance Sunday each year. read more

The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in World War One and later conflicts. read more

The poppy was adopted in 1920 by the American Legion and in 1921 by its auxiliary as their official memorial flower. The organizations encouraged the wearing of the poppy by all citizens on Memorial Day. Today, that love and concern continues to live in the hearts of thousands of American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers. read more