Make these Memorial Day Poppy pins as a remembrance in honor of those who have lost their lives in combat based on the poem “In Flanders Fields”.
Remembrance poppies are worn on Memorial Day and Remembrance Day in honor of those who have lost their lives in combat. The inspiration for the poppies is the poem “In Flanders Fields” written in May of 1915 by a Canadian military doctor named John McCrae. The poem refers to poppies near the graves of fallen soldiers. The poem became famous all over the world, and many countries began using remembrance poppies as a symbol to remember those who lost their lives in the war. In Canada, remembrance poppies are worn on Remembrance Day in November. In the United States, remembrance poppies are worn on Memorial Day and Remembrance Day.
Memorial Day poppy pins
These poppy pins are easy to make and can be worn by all residents on Memorial Day, or presented as gifts for seniors who have served in the military.
Supplies
You will need:
- red felt
- black buttons/stickers or felt
- small wooden disks
- scissors
- hot glue gun & glue
- 1 inch bar pins
- 1 inch wooden discs
- green ribbon (optional)
PROCEDURE
Step 1: Using red felt, cut out shapes for petals. Cut two or three of the same shapes in different sizes.
Step 2: Glue large and small shapes together.
Step 3: Glue the wooden disc onto the back of the flower. If you are using ribbon, glue a piece of ribbon to the back of the disc to create a stem.
Step 4: Glue black sticker or button in the center of the flower
Step 5: Glue bar pin to the back of the disc
In Flanders Fields
By John McRae
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.
