Regular readers of my Blog will know that poppies are my favourite flower. Not only
are they individually beautiful, colourful and delicate but collectively they are a sight
to behold when massed together in fields fluttering in the early summer
breeze. I have poppies in my garden. I seek out fields of poppies in the summer and
my Blog Poppyposts is named in their honour.

On wider scale, poppies also have great significance at this time of year when we
remember, recognise and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices made by our armed
forces heroes past and present. Swathes of blood-red poppies carpet Flanders Fields
the site of mass slaughter and such human destruction that we hope never to see again.
A river of red reminds us of the lost lives and those of the men and women currently
serving across the world to protect our freedom.

Every year we stand in silence to remember them.

This year is extra special. We will be in unified silence at 11.00am, on the 11th day of
the 11th month in 2011.

11-11-11-11.

In the 90th year of the Royal British Legion, you can also mark this unique occasion
by “planting” a poppy with a personal message at Royal Wootton Bassett. The
poppies will be planted in fields to form 11-11-11-11. The link for you to make a
donation and to plant a poppy is here;

Plant a Poppy at Royal Wootton Bassett

Lest we forget.

In Flanders Fields- 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.