The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields," written by Lt. Col. John McCrae while serving on the front lines. Listen as Past Natl Cdr Jake Comer recites "In Flanders Field." #PoppyDay | The American Legion National Headquarters

"In Flanders Fields" is a war poem in the form of a rondeau, written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. It is one of the most popular and most quoted poems from the war. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy

On #ThisDayInHistory 1915: the poem “In Flanders Fields” was written by Canadian soldier and physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write the poem after attending the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. | HISTORY