The Red Poppy

  One of the aspects of expat life that I love is learning and joining in some of the customs and celebrations of the country we are in.
Whether it's buying a pomlázka at Easter in Czech Republic, dressing up for Saint Isidro celebrations in Spain or joining in a Kurbisfest in Austria.  We enjoy learning about these traditions.
Last week we started seeing these cute little red poppies on lapels.  I learned that Remembrance Day was established to remember the end of hostilities of World War I in 1918.  George V initiated two minutes of silence on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour in remembrance of the armed forces who were killed.   The red poppy has become the emblem of Remembrance Day.  "In Flanders Field" is a war poem written by a Canadian physicians and lieutenant colonel.  Red poppies were seen growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.
The Poppy Appeal is the British Royal Legion's biggest fundraising campaign.  The money raised helps former service men, women and their families.
The original lapel poppy was designed so that workers with a disability could easily assemble it and this principle remains today.   Remembrance Parade I stumbled upon while in London this weekend.  

  In the UK, ceremonies at local war memorials are normally held on the second Sunday of November and at 11 am our church observed a time of prayer at the 11th hour.
We proudly wear our poppies and remember all those service men who gave their lives.