The story begins at the end of World War I, when thousands of soldiers were returning home, many with physical disabilities and mental scars. To raise funds for disabled veterans, an American professor, Moina Michael, sold silk poppies inspired by the mention of the flower in the famous war poem, In Flanders Fields, written by Lt Col John McCrae.
In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye…
