In Flanders Fields: Why We Wear Red Poppies on Memorial Day

As you drive through town this Memorial Day (Monday, May 25, 2026), you will likely see veterans and volunteers handing out small, red silk poppies. This tradition is over a century old, and its origins are as beautiful as they are heartbreaking.

The Poem that Started it All

During World War I, the battlefields of “Flanders Fields” in Belgium were completely devastated. However, amidst the rubble and graves, vibrant red poppies began to bloom by the thousands. This sight inspired Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the famous poem:

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row…”

The “Poppy Lady”

The poem moved a woman named Moina Michael, an American professor, so deeply that she vowed to always wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served. She began making them out of silk and selling them to raise money for returning veterans. By 1920, the poppy was adopted as the official symbol of remembrance by the American Legion.

Why Red?

The red color isn’t just a coincidence; it symbolizes the blood shed by those who fought, while the flower itself—which can grow in the most difficult soil—symbolizes the hope and resilience of the nation.

This Monday, when you see a volunteer with a basket of poppies, consider making a small donation and wearing one. It’s a tiny flower with a massive history, reminding us all that even in the toughest “soil,” beauty and memory can flourish.