Tuesday, November 11, 2008

VETERANS DAY

Today I will go to a parade to honor our veterans....those currently serving and those who have gone before them, ensuring the freedoms we enjoy today.
The Story of the Symbolic Poppy

The poppy seed can lie for years before it spouts nodding buds and then blooms four crumpled petals. It is a vivid mix between red and orange in color. These simple flowers grew en mass over the grave sites on the Western Front. They soon became a symbol associated with Veterans.

In the 1920’s people began selling paper poppies made to look like the wildflower. This provided assistance to ex-servicemen and their families. Today, the donations help build housing for seniors and support groups such as Meals-on-Wheels. People buy them to show their support for soldiers and their families. You will probably see someone selling them on Veterans Day, so help out if you can and wear your poppy proudly.

Source: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Library of Congress

9 comments:

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

I've learned something new. I never knew the significance of the poppy.

Be careful taking pictures today. If you do decide to lay down, you might get trampled. The laying down technique works better for nature shots vs. people shots. People are too unpredictable.

Happy Veterans Day

p.s. That google reader thing wasn't a google problem. It was a CBW Operator Error. I usually set the things to post at 12:01 am the following day and instead of saying 2008, I said 2001. So it posted immediately. I then edited and corrected it. Hey, at least i realized my error. Otherwise I would have been crying wondering where in the world it had gone and why it said it had already published it.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I did not know this about the poppies. I do remember seeing them around though.
I hope you enjoy your parade. We never seem to do enough for our Veterans. God Bless them.

Anonymous said...

Good bit of trivia! I like the Texas banners. You are such a Texan now!

Unknown said...

I am so glad I read this! I can't wait to see pictures of the parade. I wish I could go with you! I made a donation to the Marines at Toys for Tots outside of Toys R Us last night, in your honor.

Anonymous said...

You can definitely put in anything you want. That's what makes it great. I think the Ranch style beans give it the flavor though.

Well, I might allow myself to cry...just for today for the loss of Gus but then no more tears! I have to be brave!

Jason, as himself said...

I learn something new every day!

We don't do nearly enough for our veterans.

M said...

Have a fun parade...is Phillip Johnny Bob going too?

Nice post...I was hoping not to be the only one posting on Vets....Freedom is awesome!

Caroline said...

I was always curious about that! Have fun at the parade and give a Veteran a big hug from me :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute! I always call my Step-Father on Veterans Day and thank him for serving in Vietnam. He never speaks of his ordeal, but he darn sure knows how much we appreciate his service:)