MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR - November
2004
REMEMBRANCE
When the First World War ended in 1918, many men had died
fighting for their country, leaving widows and fatherless children. Of
those who returned, some were wounded, crippled and disabled. Others
who were fit were unable to find work.
To help them and their families, an organisation called the British
Legion was formed in 1921, with a very distinguished soldier, Earl
Haig, as its president. But if people were to be helped then money was
badly needed, and one of the ways to raise money was through the Poppy
Appeal Fund.
The idea of the Fund came from an American lady, Moyna Michael, who was
inspired after reading a poem written by a medical officer, Colonel
John McRae, a Canadian who had served in the war. His poem begins:
'In
Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place...'
Moyna Michael felt that the poppy was a very fitting emblem by which to
remember those who had died, and was sure that selling poppies would be
an appealing way to raise money. She tried this in America first of
all, making the poppies herself. She managed to persuade the British
Legion of the value of the plan.
The first poppies sold in this country came from France. Later the
British Legion opened their own factories, employing servicemen. Today
the money collected from poppy sales goes to the Earl Haig Fund,
helping those who still suffer as a result of war.
On Remembrance Sunday we wear our poppies, we remember those who died
and those who still suffer, praying that the time will come when
humankind will resolve the causes that lead to strife, and live in
peace.
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