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Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Message from the Governor General on Canadian Forces Day Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - As commander-in-chief, I am honoured to pay tribute to the proud members of our Canadian Armed Forces—the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force—who defend our great country every day. On Canadian Forces Day, we honour their unwavering dedication and commitment to peace and security that underscores the strength and independent spirit of our nation. In his famous poem, "In Flanders Fields," John McCrae wrote, "Take up our quarrel with the foe." Every day, time and again, members of our Canadian Armed Forces take up the quarrel, in whatever form it takes: a natural disaster, a pandemic, a breach of peace on a foreign shore, or a crisis right here at home. They are there when we need them, strong and courageous and ready for whatever may come. During this time of uncertainty and insecurity, I am reassured by the steadfast presence of our CAF members as they continue to protect our way of life and defend our sovereignty. For this and so much more, and on behalf of all Canadians, I thank you. Mary Simon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Message from the Governor General on Canadian Forces Day
OTTAWA, ON, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ - As commander-in-chief, I am honoured to pay tribute to the proud members of our Canadian Armed Forces—the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force—who defend our great country every day. On Canadian Forces Day, we honour their unwavering dedication and commitment to peace and security that underscores the strength and independent spirit of our nation. In his famous poem, "In Flanders Fields," John McCrae wrote, "Take up our quarrel with the foe." Every day, time and again, members of our Canadian Armed Forces take up the quarrel, in whatever form it takes: a natural disaster, a pandemic, a breach of peace on a foreign shore, or a crisis right here at home. They are there when we need them, strong and courageous and ready for whatever may come. During this time of uncertainty and insecurity, I am reassured by the steadfast presence of our CAF members as they continue to protect our way of life and defend our sovereignty. For this and so much more, and on behalf of all Canadians, I thank you. Mary Simon Stay connected:Follow GovernorGeneralCanada on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. SOURCE Governor General of Canada View original content:
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Facts to have a ‘meaningful' Memorial Day this year
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Memorial Day, celebrated this year on Monday, May 26, is a somber day to honor and reflect on servicemembers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country. Here are some facts about the holiday, according to We Are Teachers. The first Memorial Day was held in 1868, just three years after the end of the Civil War, which took the lives of 620,000 Americans or 2 percent of the population at the time. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. Communities across the country would gather in the spring to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. According to some historical accounts, one of the first commemorations took place in Charleston, South Carolina and was organized and attended by formerly enslaved people. This event took place just a few weeks after the Confederate surrender in 1865. The day became known as Memorial Day after World War II. It became an officially recognized federal holiday in 1971. For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. But it is so much more than that. It is also a day of remembrance, reflection and quiet gratitude for those who have served our country. In 2000, Congress passed what is known as the National Moment of Remembrance Act. It encourages all Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to remember and honor the sacrifices of those who have died in service to the United States. The flag is flown at half-staff from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are not the same. Memorial Day honors those who died while serving the nation. Veterans Day celebrates all who served. Additionally, a third holiday, Armed Forces Day, celebrates those who are currently serving. Some people wear poppies on Memorial Day. This tradition was inspired by the World War I poem 'In Flanders Fields,' written in 1915 by John McCrae. More than 1.3 million American servicemembers have died in wars since the country's founding. Yes, it is a holiday so it is tempting to say, 'Happy Memorial Day,' but keep in mind it is a day to honor and remember, not just a day off from work. It may be more appropriate to wish people a 'meaningful' Memorial Day. Editor's note: Information was provided by We Are Teachers, a community of educators who share ideas, resources and stories. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National Poppy Day is Friday before Memorial Day: What it recognizes
Memorial Day — one of the federal holidays set aside to honor veterans, in this case, those who died while serving their country — is often associated with the American flags volunteers and loved ones place at grave sites. To some, another symbol also comes to mind: the poppy. The Poppy is more commonly tied to veteran remembrances in Europe, partly because of the World War I poem, "In Flanders Fields." However, it also has North American roots, and you might see people wearing the roundish, red flower on a lapel — especially on Friday. A Canadian physician serving in the war penned the short poem that inspired the Memorial Day connection to the poppy. An American professor wrote her own poem and promoted the flower as a symbol of remembrance. And the American Legion — a war veterans group based in Indianapolis, Indiana — promotes National Poppy Day, held the Friday before Memorial Day, to raise awareness for the holiday, the last Monday of May, and keep alive the memory of those who served and sacrificed for their country. John McCrae, the author of "In Flanders Fields," wrote the poem after attending the funeral of a fellow soldier who died in battle in Belgium. It was first published in England's Punch magazine in 1915 and in the voice of the those who died during the war. It urges those still living to remember them so the dead can rest in peace. "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,' and goes on to memorize the dead. "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." More: DNR to Memorial Day travelers: Be prepared for a shock Up North "In Flanders Fields" became one of the most quoted poems from the war with, even decades later, school children memorizing it. Flanders Field was a common name for battlefields in Belgium and France. In Europe, unlike America where bodies often are returned, the tradition is to bury the dead near where they fell. The wild-growing poppies, which the poem describes, were not only growing between the graves but had other symbolic meaning. Like the young lives that were lost in war, the flowers don't last long. The poppies are red, for the blood that was smilled. And the poppy has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties — it is even used to make opium — which perhaps, to those who survive, is a reminder of war's the pain and the need to be healed. After the war, Moina Michael, a University of Georgia professor, promoted the poppy as a flower of remembrance and even became known as the "Poppy Lady" for her efforts, receiving several honors, including a 1948 postage stamp with her likeness on it. She also wrote her own memorial poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith," which alluded to McCrae's but is from the perspective of the living, ending with a promise to the fallen: "Fear not that ye have died for naught; / We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: National Poppy Day is Friday before Memorial Day: What it recognizes
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why do people wear red flowers on Memorial Day? What do red poppies mean?
On Monday, May 26, millions of people around the United States will be observing Memorial Day and honoring members of the military who have fallen in the line of duty, protecting the country and our way of life. Americans will attend ceremonies, lay flowers at gravesites and mourn. Some of them will be wearing red flowers on their lapels. You may also see people wearing them on Friday, May 23, for National Poppy Day. Why? It started during World War I. According to the American Legion, red poppies bloomed brightly across France and Belgium during WWI, something scientists attributed to the soil enriched with lime from rubble left over from the battles. The sight of colorful red flowers sprouting among and around rows of white crosses of fallen soldiers in Flanders prompted Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery who had just buried his friend and fellow soldier, to write a poem to speak for the fallen and issue a call to action for the living. The poem was printed in the British magazine "Punch" in 1915 and captured the attention of the British Commonwealth. It "became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War," according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and was read at memorial ceremonies. The red poppy became known as the "Flower of Remembrance" in the allied countries America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and became a symbol of the "war to end all wars" and its human cost. In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae 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. Anna E. Guérin of France and Moina Michael of Georgia both were touched by the poem and worked to create and sell artificial poppies, also known as "remembrance poppies," to help widows and orphans who were left homeless and destitute by the war. Michael campaigned to make the silk poppy a national symbol of remembrance, selling them to raise money for veterans and their families. Guérin traveled to the United States to create an American version of a French veterans' organization, which used the poppy as its symbol. The two women promoted the sale of artificial poppies to raise money for veterans, widows, orphans, bonds, and charities helping veterans such as the Red Cross. The National American Legion adopted the poppy in 1920 and made it their official flower in 1924. The Veterans of Foreign Wars helped the women when they ran into distribution problems, established the red poppy as its own official memorial flower and created the VFW Buddy Poppy, named after the factory where they were assembled. Over 100 years later, red poppies from both the VFW and the American Legion still are handed out on veteran recognition days such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and National Poppy Day. National Poppy Day is observed the Friday before Memorial Day. This year, that's May 23, 2025. Each year, members of the American Legion distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving it donates to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs. Both organizations use the poppies to raise money for veterans' needs and to provide income for the veterans assembling them. In 1920, the American Legion Auxillary successfully lobbied for National Poppy Day. The ALA distributes millions of crepe poppies annually in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in local communities. ALA poppies have a black center. When the VFW began distributing them, they created their own and called it a Buddy Poppy. Veterans are paid to make them and donations from the program provide financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially support the VFW National Home. Theirs has a green center. Other countries also adopted the red poppy as their official symbol of remembrance, largely due to Guérin's efforts. The red poppy is seen by many as a lasting tribute to all those who served their country and sacrificed their lives for its freedom. The poppies are distributed on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, although they're more commonly worn for Memorial Day in the United States. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What is National Poppy Day? Flowers honor the fallen for Memorial Day
