In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.
— by Col. John McCrae
The American Legion Auxiliary will be out this Memorial weekend asking for donations to help with its Poppy Program. Members will be in front of Great Bend businesses with poppies this evening and all day Saturday. They will also be out on Sunday if they still have some of the 3,000 poppies, said Marianne Krallman, cochair of this year’s Poppy Program.
Look for volunteers in front of Walmart, both Dillon’s stores, Orscheln’s and True Value from 5-7 p.m. Friday, and as early as 7 a.m. Saturday, and at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Tammy Petz is chairman of the program in Great Bend, and Jeannie Munsch is also a cochair.
All poppies are made by disabled or hospitalized veterans who earn a small wage, which helps to supplement their income and makes them feel more self-sufficient. Proceeds from the poppy donations are used to assist and support veterans and their families. Beginning this year, the assistance will be available to active members of the military and their families.
Replicas of poppies were first distributed in other countries following the end of World War I, and were inspired by the poem “In Flanders Field,” written by Col. John McCrae of Canada in 1915 during World War I.
“In Flanders Field” insured the red poppy would forever be associated with war, and the replica poppies have long been used to raise funds for various causes.
