The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-10
REMEMBER THE PoPPIEs.

Cross Man" made light Of the idea that
a soldier might care for flowers. Per-
haps he was right; yet the entire sem
timent Of the world war-and what a
tremendous sentiment that was four
years ago-has been erystalized into a
single flower, the Flanders Poppy.
Those who put a shoulder to the wheel
when the German military machine
was rolled back across the devastated
areas Of France and Belgium will new
err forget the crimson battle token.
Wherever veterans gather there will
be talk Of the old days and, before the
group separates. someone is sure to
say, "And remember the peoples.
Funny how those things would grow
there, sometimes right in the shell
holes. They We're kinda pretty too.
The kids used to put 'em on the
graves"
Yeah" interrupts another. back in
the rest areas the women used to make
wreaths out OF 'em and hang EN- on
the cross arms on Sundays. Used to
look kinda solemn like to see those
red flowers hanging there"
Solemn is the word. Plain, unorna-
mented crosses and on the arm a wreath
Of red flowers seeming to symbolic
the blood the grave occupant had shed
for humanity. That is why the men of
the American Expeditionary forces
will always love the poppy. 1t was
used as a floral tribute to their fallen
comrades and, when the barrage ceas-
ed and the ragged line moved out, those
who composed that line, invariably adj
vanced through a field dotted with the
frail flowers.
Poppies poppies everywhere, SEEM
ing to warn the soldier that death in
all his grim hideousness walked very
near.
Because Of the sacrifices and glory
which the flower represents in fighting
mems eyes it has been adopted as an
inter allied memorial flower and Pop
py Day campaigns have been con-
Quoted throughout the Allied nations.
The campaign in America viii be con-
Quoted by the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States, an organi-
zation composed of men who have seen
battle service in the United States
army, navy or Marine corps in foreign
lands and on foreign waters.
The campaign is we'll under way
The American War Mothers are CO.
operating with the Veterans of For
eign wars in the work.
OF particular interest is the an
nouncement from the national head
quarters of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars in New York that. the peoples to
be used win come direct from France.
They are perfect reproductions of
the flower that decorates the American
graves in Romagne and are fashioned |
of silk by the women of the devastated
area in France. The money paid for
them by the Veterans of Foreign Wars |
is used in assisting the women who
make them to rehabilitate themselves. |
The profit derived by the local posts |
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will |
be used in veteran relief work. Very /
few realize the tremendous task thrust |
upon the veteran organizations of i
America. They are attempting to care /
for those who have been wounded or
otherwise ineapacitated because of the
war and the financial outlay necessary
to maintain this service is almost un-
believable,
Ever since the organization OF the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, % years
ago. direct liaison with the government
pension bureaus, claims courts and the |
departments has always been
maintained and thousands of cases |
have been righted. That the govern
ment appreciates this service is proven
by the praise of Colonel Forbes, direc-
tor of the United States Veterans Blu
reau
1t is the most worthy work imagin-
able but to be carried on, funds must /
paisn For a week prior to Memorial
day the Veterans of Foreign Wars will
endeavor to sell peoples so that every /
man, woman and child will be wear
ing one of the Flanders hero symbols |
on Decoration day.
Plans for a Poppy Sunday will be
made and every clergyman viii be |
asked to devote at least three minutes /
of his sermonizing time to the poppy /
and the idea which made it an inter
memorial flower.
The school children will be asked /
to aid as well as every military, patri-
otto and civic organization. The funds |
realized are not to be used for a club
house. or new post flag or a piano;
they will be expended in the interest
Of disabled or needy former fighting
men, than which there is no worthier
cause.
President Harding has given most
hearty endorsements to the project and
urges every American to wear a Elan
iers poppy on May 80. His letter to
Captain Reuel ". Elton. Adiutant Gem
eral OF the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Is as follows:
Il find myself heartily in sympathy
with the purpose Of the Veterans of I
Foreign Wars and the American War
Mothers In their request that the peo-
pie at iarge shall wear on Memorial
day, a poppy, the Inter Allied Memo f
rial Flower It is a most Appropriate /
mode OF testifying our remembrance
and recognition of the great obligation 4
Of the nation 10 those who gave every 1
thing in the service during the world Il