And of course, poppies are also quite popular in European countries as a symbol of past wars. My mother used to sing a post WWII-song with lyrics loosely translated from the Polish as: "the poppies grow red on Monte Casino; their red color comes from the blood shed by Polish soldiers who gave their lives...."
Taken from wikipedia: "In the mountains above Cassino for three days Polish infantry attacks made little progress and brought heavy losses to both sides; Col. Heilmann of 4th Parachute Regiment calling the destroyed town a "miniature Verdun." To this day the Polish effort is a source of great pride for the Polish Nation." and "British XIII Corps in the centre right of the front would attack along the Liri valley whilst on the right 2nd Polish Corps (3rd and 5th Division) commanded by Lt. Gen. Władysław Anders, which had relieved 78th Division in the mountains behind Cassino on April 24, would attempt the task which had defeated 4th Indian Division in February, isolate the monastery and push round behind it into the Liri valley to link with XIII Corps' thrust and pinch out the Cassino position. It was hoped that being a much larger force than their 4th Indian Division predecessors they would be able to saturate the German defences which would as a result be unable to give supporting fire to each other's positions. Improved weather, ground conditions and supply would also be important factors. Once again, the pinching maneuver by the Polish and British Corps were key to the overall success." Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:03:43 -0500 >From: "beth benoit" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: [tips] attn: Commonwealth Tipsters >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > > Link: File-List > > I think there are American fans as well. I > memorized this poem as a child in Catholic grade > school in Ohio. > > Beth Benoit > > Granite State College > > New Hampshire > > > > From: Paul C Bernhardt > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 4:00 PM > To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) > Subject: Re: [tips] attn: Commonwealth Tipsters > > > > In Flanders Fields > By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) > Canadian Army > > 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. > > Published in Punch in December, 1915. This poem > became a symbol in England of the war losses. When > Armistice Day came to end the war, the poppy became > an annual tribute. It is more celebrated in > Commonwealth nations than in the other Allied > nations. Read details about his writing it at > http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm > > -- > Paul Bernhardt > Frostburg State University > Frostburg, MD, USA > > -------- > > On 11/11/08 3:17 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > > > I could swear that while growing up on the Caribbean > Island of St.Lucia,we had a holiday called Poppy Day > and we actually sold poppies. Obviously,it must have > been a British thing.Is this same as Armistice day > or Veterans day as celebrated today in the U.S? And > why a poppy flower? Anything to do with opium? > Sleepless in Daytona. > Michael Sylvester,PhD > Daytona Beach,Florida > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > > > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
