Serve by Design

The Remembrance Poppy of my childhood was passed out for a donation at intersections in my hometown during the Memorial Day holiday weekend by men who belonged to service organizations. It was a way to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and was used as a fund raiser for local causes as well. The poppies were always artificial and made from a red, sturdy fabric with a green stamen in the center of the petals. These handcrafted symbols held up nicely if they were displayed on a suit lapel, affixed to a shirt collar, attached to a ball cap, or partially tucked into a pocket as a memorial badge of sorts. As a kid, we liked to enthusiastically wave them in everyone's faces like they were toys to be enjoyed. These symbols often never lasted the entire weekend and if they did, after the holiday had passed, these artificial poppies went the way of most passing things... they were disposed of! We have been living in the French countryside during these days of vacation. As ...