at another site someone asked what a Poppy tin was, I guess it is a bigger symbol to Canadian and the British, and not as widely known in the U.S. so I thought I would share the meaning.
To the British and Canadians the poppy is the symbol we use to commemorate our war dead, it stems from a poem written in the field of battle during World War 1 by a Doctor in the Canadian Army.
Each year Veterans sell, by donation, Poppies on a pin, to be worn as close to your heart as possible. 100% of the proceeds go to Veterans.
The poem is read each year by schoolchildren in school as well as by others over the radio and T.V. it is a stirring piece that never fails to give me goosebumps.
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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.
In Flanders Field, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae