HONORING AND REMEMBERING OUR WAR DEAD – Around The Frame

On May 25 the Annual Waynedale Memorial Day parade will wind its way through the streets to the Prairie Grove Cemetery. Once again we will gather to mourn those brave men and women who gave their lives in service to their country. The bell will chime to mark the passing of each local veteran who passed away during the last twelve months. The solemnity of the ceremony, the words of comfort and sacrifice, the air filled with the sound of guns and taps: this is Memorial Day. I would ask everyone reading this column to come out and watch the parade and attend the brief ceremony.

Many of the marchers will wear the traditional poppy. The sale of Buddy Poppies began in 1922 when VFW members sold them as part of a fundraising effort in support of veterans in need of work or assistance. The theme was adopted from the poem “In Flander’s Field” written by Lt. Col. John McCrae in 1915.

This year I plan to march wearing a poppy of a different sort. Evelyne of The Laurentians, QC, Canada crafts felt padded and beaded poppy brooches. When asked what inspired her to make them she wrote, “Poppy, the symbol of remembrance to honour fellow Canadians who died in wars.” A few days after we corresponded, Evelyne was so taken by my contacting her to ask about her brooches, she wrote to inform me she is handcrafting one for me. She wanted to know what color I would prefer and I replied, “The traditional red poppy is the only one for me!”

Canadians do not celebrate “Memorial Day” in May. They celebrate “Remembrance Day” on November 11 the day we celebrate “Veterans Day”. November 11 marks the end of WWI: the war to end all wars. I would imagine that most if not all nations take time to pause and remember their war dead. The celebrations may fall in different months and may include different rituals, but the effect is still the same: War brings tragedy to many lives in the fight for freedom. May we never forget their sacrifices.

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Lois Levihn is the owner of Born Again Quilts located at 4005 South Wayne Ave. She can be contacted at bornagainquilts@frontier.com or 260-515-9446.