Poppies

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Yesterday, I attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at my youngest granddaughter's elementary school. It was an innocent salute to fallen soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country.

The school choir opened with a song about peace, love, and hope, following which we: heard a recitation of Canadian physician, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s rondeau, In Flander's Fields; witnessed the laying of paper wreaths of poppies by student members of the Brownies, Girl Guides, and Scouts; viewed a moving slide presentation on the sacrifice of service men and women; and observed a moment of silence followed by The Last Post.

I was proud to see the children from Junior Kindergarten to grade five respectfully participating in this short but moving memorial tribute; and inspired by the hard work obviously put into this ceremony by the school staff.

The poppy serves as the official symbol of respect and remembrance for soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice, as Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae did before the end of WWI. It is fitting that the meaning of his inspired poem and the symbolism of the lowly poppy live on through future generations.

"Red are the poppies
Of the blood stained battlefields

Still giving us hope"

© 2005-11-05 - nhg