Decoration Day, later to be known as Memorial Day, originally honored the lives of those lost fighting the Civil War in the U.S. As years passed, 1914-1918 brought World War I, with an even greater number of human losses throughout many countries. Some of the fiercest fighting took place in Western Europe, ravaging the lands of northern France and Flanders (northern Belgium). Trees were uprooted, the earth was torn apart and the death toll reached 150,000 at the war front of Flanders in the Third Battle of Ypres, between June 7 and November 17, 1917. The brutality tore up the fields and forests and left behind a scarred landscape marking the largest massacre to take place on Belgium land.
Public Domain- October 29, 1917, soldiers of an Australian 4th Division field artillery brigade in Ypres.
Come early spring, bright red poppies started poking through the war-torn soil. The sight of these red flowers motivated the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian who served as a brigade surgeon in WWI. McCrae saw the devastation first hand as he tended to the wounded. A friend of McCrae's, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer lost his life there. McCrae's poem and the image of the poppy flower has become a powerful symbol of remembrance.
Public Domain- John McCrae in uniform
“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
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.
Gradually Decoration Day in the United States became known as Memorial Day and would commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. Other countries celebrate their own remembrance holiday. As Memorial Day approaches, red fabric or paper poppies adorn peoples' clothing as a way to honor fallen soldiers.
Hawley celebrates Memorial Day with a parade, and the American Legion Post 311 tosses a flower wreath in the Lackawaxen River to honor those who have died in service.
This year's parade, will take place on May 28, 2023 with noon line up at Riverside Park (across the river from Bingham Park) and step off at 1:00pm. The parade heads down Church Street, passes Penny Lane Candies, turns right on Main Street at Teeters and ends up at Bingham Park. There are two grand marshals for the parade, World War II veteran Walter Grub and Vietnam veteran John Mowatt. The American Legion Post 311 will hold a short ceremony at the Veteran's monument outside Bingham Park following the parade.
Two local veterans of American Legion Post 311, distribute poppies outside of IGA in Hawley, PA on May 27, 2023.
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