Memorial Day & Remembrance Day meaning of the Red Poppy

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in our nation's service.

In 1915 came the poem "In Flanders Fields” written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. " It is one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the war. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world's most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where "In Flanders Fields" is one of the nation's best-known literary works. - wiki

Inspired by “In Flanders Fields”, Moina Michael replied with her own poem: 
“We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.” 

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies.

In an effort to Remember The Fallen, Home Hearth Garden will donate 5% of its’ proceeds from the sale of The Red Poppy Wreath in the months of May, October, and November to TAPS – “Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors” www.taps.org.

PLEASE – REMEMBER THEM THAT PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE….REMEMBER THE FALLEN!!