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Description
The quote is deprived from the poem, "Why Wear A Poppy?" by Blair Leger

' Please wear a poppy ', the lady said
and held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old, and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came wistling down the street,
Bouncing along, on care free feet
His smile was full of joy and fun,
'Lady', said he, 'May I have one?'
When she pinned it on, he turned to say,
'Why do we wear a poppy today?'

The lady smiled in her wistful way,
and answered, 'This is Rememberance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for,
the gallant men who died in war,
and because they died you and I are free--
Thats why we wear a poppy, you see'.

'I had a boy about your size,
with golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew
and became a man--as you will, too.'

'He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
but he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away,
I still remember his face that day.
When he smiled at me and said'Good-bye,
I'll soon be back, mom, so please don't cry'.

'But the war went on and he had to stay,
and all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it in my dreams at night),
with the tanks and guns and cruel Barbed wire,
and the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.'

'Till at last the war was won-
and thats why we wear a poppy son'.
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said 'Thanks lady, i'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son-- did he come back alright?'

A tear rolled down each faded cheek;
she shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
and if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,
though our freedome was bought-and thousands paid.

And so when we see a poppy worn, let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
and asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy. Remember-- and give!

Lest we forget.

----

I remember reading this poem on my first Remembrance Day during my first year in Canada. I was just 9 years old but it really struck me.

As an immigrant, it takes time to understand the customs and tradition in my new home. I remember asking why everyone was wearing a little red flower, but my parents didn't know the answer.

I was really curious and wanted to find out but I didn't bother asking anyone else (either because I was too shy or because of my really bad engrish).

When I happen to come upon this poem, it all made sense to me and I understood why.

To remember those brave soldiers who had fallen in service to their country.
To remember those who fought for our freedom and rights.

From then on, this day became very special for me.

I am truly grateful to the many lives that were sacrificed in the past to give those of the future their freedom and rights.

----

I did a reading for today's Remembrance Day program held at my school. It was great, especially when my friend played the last post on his trumpet, I could feel the solemnity (is that a word?) as every note was played.

APH and Matthew Williams/Canada (c) Himaruya Hidekaz
Why Wear A Poppy? (c) Blair Leger
Art (c) ~RielCakes

Description
The quote is deprived from the poem, "Why Wear A Poppy?" by Blair Leger

' Please wear a poppy ', the lady said
and held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old, and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came wistling down the street,
Bouncing along, on care free feet
His smile was full of joy and fun,
'Lady', said he, 'May I have one?'
When she pinned it on, he turned to say,
'Why do we wear a poppy today?'

The lady smiled in her wistful way,
and answered, 'This is Rememberance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for,
the gallant men who died in war,
and because they died you and I are free--
Thats why we wear a poppy, you see'.

'I had a boy about your size,
with golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew
and became a man--as you will, too.'

'He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
but he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away,
I still remember his face that day.
When he smiled at me and said'Good-bye,
I'll soon be back, mom, so please don't cry'.

'But the war went on and he had to stay,
and all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it in my dreams at night),
with the tanks and guns and cruel Barbed wire,
and the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.'

'Till at last the war was won-
and thats why we wear a poppy son'.
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said 'Thanks lady, i'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son-- did he come back alright?'

A tear rolled down each faded cheek;
she shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
and if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,
though our freedome was bought-and thousands paid.

And so when we see a poppy worn, let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their very all
and asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy. Remember-- and give!

Lest we forget.

----

I remember reading this poem on my first Remembrance Day during my first year in Canada. I was just 9 years old but it really struck me.

As an immigrant, it takes time to understand the customs and tradition in my new home. I remember asking why everyone was wearing a little red flower, but my parents didn't know the answer.

I was really curious and wanted to find out but I didn't bother asking anyone else (either because I was too shy or because of my really bad engrish).

When I happen to come upon this poem, it all made sense to me and I understood why.

To remember those brave soldiers who had fallen in service to their country.
To remember those who fought for our freedom and rights.

From then on, this day became very special for me.

I am truly grateful to the many lives that were sacrificed in the past to give those of the future their freedom and rights.

----

I did a reading for today's Remembrance Day program held at my school. It was great, especially when my friend played the last post on his trumpet, I could feel the solemnity (is that a word?) as every note was played.

APH and Matthew Williams/Canada (c) Himaruya Hidekaz
Why Wear A Poppy? (c) Blair Leger
Art (c) ~RielCakes