What the Poppy Means

For many of us, we scratch our heads trying to figure out why people are wearing a red poppy on their outside coat. I certainly like to know what holiday I am celebrating in the country I'm living in. Some of us have seen people like Tony Blair wear them, others in Australia wear them and here in Canada many wear them. So I thought I'd try to give everyone a few more facts about Remembrance Day, which is celebrated on November 11.



So what exactly is the Poppy for?
During the Napoleonic Wars, the poppy was the mysterious flower that bloomed over the graves of fallen soldiers.

The poppy, an international symbol for those who died in war, also had international origins. A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended.

Remembering our fellow comrads who have fought in war to make our country what it is today. "On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve."

I'll take a stab at saying Remembrance Day is much like Veterans Day in the US. If anyone else has more to add, please enlighten us.