Poppies

 Abby Palaza

   

    Red as the blood that had soaked the soil beneath rows of white crosses, poppies stand. A symbol of sacrifice and hope, it is the red poppies that speak greater than words.  Men and women who served and died for their country deserve to be remembered for the greatest gift of freedom at the greatest cost of sacrifice. It was the barren landscape of WWI that was transformed by blooming wild poppies. It is the future youth generations that must remember those who gave them their freedom and advocate for the rights that were earned for their country. “To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high!” (“In Flanders Fields”). 

    The tradition of the red poppies was inspired by WWI colonel, John McCrae as he looked at the graves of soldiers who died at Flanders Fields. Overcome with grief looking amidst the sea of red poppies, McCrae wrote the poem “In Flanders Field.”  Two women, Anna E. Guerin and Maria Michael, were later inspired by the poem and initiated the sale of poppies to help orphans and others left suffering from war.  In 1922, there was the first nationwide distribution of poppies and the VFW adopted the poppy as its official memorial flower.  The poppy sales continue to employ veterans to produce the artificial flower and ask volunteers to help participate. In remembrance of those who fought for our safety and the democracy of the United States, the poppies continue to provoke individual meaning and significance in every citizen.

    Each young woman at ALA Girls State learns the importance of civil activism in becoming a responsible citizen. We are “the larks, still bravely singing.” We are the ones that must “fly” (“In Flanders Fields). It has become our duty to exercise and use the rights and freedoms we are awarded. ALA Girls State has not only emphasized this distinction, but has encouraged and given us confidence to become more active. Red as the blood that had soaked the soil beneath rows of white crosses, the red poppies stand and ALA Girls State stand with them.