POPPIES FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Red poppies are blooming in the high plains.
Those in my backyard are just beginning to open, and blow in the breeze,
which is timely for Memorial Day weekend.
American Legion Auxiliary volunteers are distributing millions of red poppies
around the nation, raising money for disabled and hospitalized veterans in their local communities. The poppy is recognized world-wide as a symbol of sacrifice, and is worn on our lapels to honor men and women who served, and died, for our country in all wars, including the global war on terror. (Excerpted from Diane Spencer, Legion Auxiliary Poppy Committee Chair, 2010).

Papaver orientale is shown in the photo. The seeds came from my Mother's garden, and the blooms flourish both singles and doubles. When finished, the pods dry on the stem, and eventually split open and scatter for re-seeding. They are welcome early color in our yards.

The red poppy is memorialized in a famous poem written at the American War Cemetery near Ypres, Flanders, a centuries old war-torn region of Belgium. It's author, John McCrae, was an Army physician who witnessed a terrible battle there in spring 1915. Poppies were growing all over the bomb shell uprooted landscape. I take a moment to re-read the poem every spring when my poppies bloom and I remember my Dad and uncles who all saw action in Europe in World War 2. Joseph M. Halterman (1913 - 1981), Hans Hveem (1913 - 2004), John Howard Hveem (1916 - 1996), Norman J. Hveem ((1922 - 1988), and Harry Solberg. Many, many others joined them in service and we are forever grateful for their sacrifices.

In Flanders Fields

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.


Thank you for remembering.

Tomorrow: "Lazy Daze" Steaks on the grill & rhubarb pie.

KGC (your kitchen garden cook)