On the 11th hour of the 11th day of
the 11th month, British Commonwealth citizens are asked to pause in memory of
the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service.
Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians, Brits are amongst those who can also be seen wearing
poppies on their lapels on what is known as Remembrance Day.
The first poppies were distributed in 1921. This practice
was inspired by a poem written by a Canadian soldier. During the Battle of
Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields
on seeing poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died
in battle. The poem inspired not only Canada, but also other countries such as
Australia, the United States, France and Britain to adopt the poppy as the flower of
remembrance.
Today, the volunteer donations from the distribution of
millions of poppies go toward supporting ex-servicemen and women.
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