| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 06:19:45 AM
For the last....10 years or so, I've noted that our local Veteran's organizations don't give poppies with a donation, or have booths set up like they used to. Not sure if they've just gone a different direction with fund raising or what, but receiving one of those poppies was very special to me--my father was a veteran of WWII, and was stationed in England, and my Great Grandmother's two brothers died in France and Belgium in WWI, causing her to marry young and not, sadly, for love, to take care of her family. On my husband's side, the military service runs deep--my father's Grandfather and all of his 7 brothers served in WWII, one being the highest decorated priest in the military with 2 silver stars and one bronze, so it's important to us to show our gratitude on this day.
So, I made this last night for him to wear today because he's always wanted one, a permanent one. I'd still like to make one with better materials (a red felted sweater from the thrift!) but not bad for a first attempt.
Justin added the Spearhead pin that belonged to Father Kenny, who was awarded his bronze star in the Ardennes, at the Battle of the Bulge. I think it's a lovely tribute.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 14 2011 : 1:06:11 PM
Miranda,
Thank you for sharing
I'll remember all these for sure in years to come |
| Missus Miranda |
Posted - Nov 14 2011 : 06:58:22 AM
Sue, thank you SO much for sharing that!
It makes me sad that we have a day in our federal government designated specifically for the veterans, and most people use it to have fun or do anything but remember why we're off work. I try to do something every year, even if it's something small. Two or three years ago, I reconnected with a friend from high school who is now a disabled vet. This year, I honored the man I love.
The idea of having two minutes of silence, and that tradition being SO important that it is a horrendous faux pas to break it, is absolutely beautiful to me!
I feel sad that we've lost a lot of our own culture in America. Not trying to down my country at all, as I love it, but we often say things like "never forget", and we forget. September 11 was supposed to be officially decreed as Patriot day, but the only calendar I have seen that mentioned on since 2003 is the one sent by the USO every year. I hear people talk about getting back to the basics as they stare at the screen of their iPhone. And doing the right thing is something people just don't have time for. I think that is why I am so happy to see all of you wonderful ladies here!
As much as some of us like to give our friends in Britain a hard time, (this, and my mother is actually a descendent of British aristocracy) I think we could take something from what you have shared with us! It's quite humbling!
Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX |
| sue5901 |
Posted - Nov 14 2011 : 02:40:43 AM
Hi
Thought you might be interested in the view from Britain as the Poppy Symbol did originate here and is one of our national symbols and part of what makes us British.
WW1 ended at 11 oclock on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 and two minutes silence has been held at this time every year in the UK - absolute, noone would dare to break it. It is not a National holiday here - but it is universally marked and honoured. The closest Sunday (yesterday ) is Rememberance Sunday or Poppy Day and ceremonies are held in every town to remember our war dead and Poppy Wreaths are laid starting with one by the Queen.
Yes the Poppy was introduced as a memorial after WW1 due to the number that bloomed on the old battlefields. It was adopted by the Royal British Legion (our main veterans organisation) as their symbol for rememberance in 1921 and has been used ever since. Injured veterans make them in the factory and they are sold to raise money. Poppys are everywhere here in the UK in Nov - everyone buys one. They estimate they make £50million (about $80 million) selling them every year and as our population is only 60 million it shows just about everyone buys one.
I think some places tried to do the same as the Royal British Legion as it had been so successful in raising money for veterans but it never really took off and embedded itself in people's minds like it did in Britain and the Commonwealth, it saddens me to think of it being used half heartedly.
Poppy Day has increased in importance here as time has gone by and not decreased and the symbol of the Poppy is incredibly important to us.
We will remember them....
Dance like nobody's watching! |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 12:17:26 PM
As a late side note it just occured to my the official flower of California is.....the Golden Poppy!
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mando pickin,uke strummin,dulcimer playin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 03:43:11 AM
There us a Veteran and his organization set out on Memorial and Veteran's Day outside Tractor Supply. I usually seek him out and try to give what I have |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 12 2011 : 03:41:40 AM
Soory this is late, just saw it this a.m
It may depend where you go.
Here in NC-at least where I live, they still give them out. I have one hanging on my rear view mirror
I don't think the younger genaration understands the implication behind these |
| Clumboy |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 6:04:49 PM
here is the poem about the flanders poppies. i copied this from wikipedia. it is a beautiful, heartfelt poem and one of my favorites:
The first chapter of In Flanders Fields and Other Poems (a 1919 collection of poems by John McCrae) gives the text of the poem as follows:
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.
chris
not a boy--long story |
| Missus Miranda |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 4:41:58 PM
I am SO excited to see so many more people excited about this! I am working on some projects for the house, as well as Christmas right now. One of them is stuff for my sewing kit. I have a pattern for a... pouch? not sure what it's called, but it is in the shape of a flower. Think i will modify it to look like a Poppy, and center an old USO lapel pin I bought on Ebay years back on it! Thank you, ladies, for the inspiration!
Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 4:36:04 PM
Does anyone know why the tradition of the Veteran's Day Poppy came about? It came about in England on Armistace Day at the end of WWI. The Poppies bloomed all over the fields in France and gave the soldiers hope.
I gave a nod to my Dad for Veteran's Day on my blog - http://farmsteadfripperies.blogspot.com/2011/11/greetings-from-uncle-sam-july-1941.html?spref=fb
So many folks don't give it a second thought - it's just another day off of school, work and an excuse for a three day weekend. My grandmother's brother died in WWI. My Dad and my Uncles and several of their cousins all served in WWII. My mother came from Minneapolis to LA to work for Lockheed during the war helping to build planes. Her brother ended up a prisoner of war in Italy and almost starved to death. My brother was a Marine during Viet Nam.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
http://farmsteadfripperies.blogspot.com/ |
| craftingram |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 3:56:24 PM
We have still been getting the poppies here in Texas. Veterans have been outside stores for the last week or so. So glad they're still here.
Karin
Farmgirl #2708
Romans 8: 38,39 |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 3:35:03 PM
I had not thought about the poppy in years, Jonni. Now that you mention it, I have not seen any around here. You sis a beautiful thing to make that. My brother served 25 years in the Special Forces. He still works for them now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Missus Miranda |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 2:02:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Annika
My family has been in the Army, Navy and Marines for many, many generations. I was just wondering about that this week. Where are the poppies? I'm saddened that perhaps we think so little of our vets that they have given up and not there any longer to help us remember them. My father is the last vet in my family still living. I'm going to call him this evening and thank him for his service to our country =)
We farm girls should start a tradition of making a Vets Day event in our community! Just a thought?
Hug a vet and tell them how grateful you are for their service
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
ANNIKA WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!  My brother was in the Marines and I am friends with several of his "brothers" from the screw crew. Two of my uncles by marriage were in the Navy, one of my best friends is a disabled Iraq war vet, and the love of my life was also in the Marines.
The pencil is pictured below. As I said, it belonged to my great aunt, but the Poppy was given to me by a veteran when I was around 14 years old. I believe it's the last one I ever received  At least I still have it!
Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX |
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 1:44:06 PM
I love the poppy, Jonni!! What a great idea! Please let me know if you have enough fabric left over to make another? I would like to buy one from you to sent to my grandpa!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 1:21:09 PM
Thanks, girls. I'm glad I made it--he called me a bit ago and said all kinds of people, young and old remarked on it at the restaurant.
I wish they would still give them, Amie--it's been sad not to see them, but I know you (you're a lot like me!) and I have no doubt you donate and wear your poppy.
I think I recall us talking about your Grandfather's service--I'm sorry for your loss, this summer. Be probably waved in those B-24's...talk about big!!!! I wish you lived closer, Amie--our husbands could talk music and warbirds and we could eat and talk about a gazillion other things :)
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 1:12:43 PM
Your handmade poppy is lovely, Jonni. Great idea to make a more permanent version.
I still see veterans giving out poppies here in NY and I always donate.
I may have mentioned this before, but my grandfather (who passed away this summer) was a radio operator in the Air Corps during WWII and he flew in those big bombers. Can't remember right now if it was B24s or B52s...good thing my husband is a warplane buff too. He remembers all those details. |
| forgetmenot |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 12:52:24 PM
Lovely poppy, Johnnie. We still get the poppies here.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
| Annika |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 12:33:48 PM
My family has been in the Army, Navy and Marines for many, many generations. I was just wondering about that this week. Where are the poppies? I'm saddened that perhaps we think so little of our vets that they have given up and not there any longer to help us remember them. My father is the last vet in my family still living. I'm going to call him this evening and thank him for his service to our country =)
We farm girls should start a tradition of making a Vets Day event in our community! Just a thought?
Hug a vet and tell them how grateful you are for their service
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
|
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 11:30:35 AM
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one wondering, Miranda! It's just not in Kentucky--on Veterans Day, Memorial Day or any other day! Would love to see a picture of your Aunt Jewel's mechanical pencil--especially with the poppy, how pretty!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| Missus Miranda |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 09:25:55 AM
!! Holy cow, I was wondering about this the other day! Sitting on my writing desk is a mechanical red pencil I inhereted from my mother's aunt. It came from Kelley AFB, back when Aunt Jewel was in Civil Service there. Wrapped around it, is a Poppy! I unpacked it the other day and thought to myself "where are all the vets with the poppies?"
I'm so glad I'm not alone in wondering where they went! And I LOVE all the photos everyone has shared!! SO PRETTY!
Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX |
| Acelady02 |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 09:13:55 AM
Jonni, great job on the poppy....and Sherrie, love the mug....I'm thankful for all of our Veteran's, My Daddy was in the Korean war...he died in 1966 shortly after coming home. My brother in law is also in the army, and just got home from Afghanistan, so my thoughts and prayers go out to all of our Veteran's today...and a big THANK YOU!
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask...
http://ourgeorgiafarm.blogspot.com/ |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 09:05:34 AM
Here we see the poppies for Memorial Day.
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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| motherhen |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 09:01:15 AM
Here's a wonderful celebration of our veterans:
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/the_organic_farm_that_prepares.html |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 09:00:59 AM
That's such a lovely mug, Sherrie! I would have grabbed that up, too. I'm not sure why I don't see them anymore--perhaps it's because Armistace Day was essentially about WWI and there aren't any more veterans from that war alive? I don't know--it's sad to me, though, so I'm very happy to keep it going in our little corner of the world.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 08:48:44 AM
That is a very cute pin! I wonder why they don;t make poppy pins as they do flag ones?
In modern days,I haven't seen poppies for Memorial day. However,a few years ago,I picked this up at an estate sale just down my street-it was handcrafted by a member of the VFW Aux. in 1953. I always have it hanging in my kitchen by the sink tho I never use it. Sad to say the VFW hall on this closed nearly 2 years ago-it was in San Pedro,about 45 min away from me.
 
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mando pickin,uke strummin,dulcimer playin & fiddle sawin' Farmgirl #702 |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Nov 11 2011 : 08:36:47 AM
Thanks, Lisa and Mary Beth--we both talk about not seeing the poppies any more, nearly every Veterans Day, so I just decided to make our own this year :) I sewed the poppy while he worked on WWII bomber models, standing in the kitchen last night.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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