HRES 459
Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Poppy Day".
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Bill overview
This resolution recognizes and supports the purpose of National Poppy Day, which is to honor and remember veterans and members of the Armed Forces who have died while serving. It highlights the historical significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, originating from the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ and adopted by organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The resolution encourages widespread participation in National Poppy Day by wearing red poppies on the Friday before Memorial Day to express patriotism and gratitude.
Key provisions
- Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day.
- Honors past and current members of the Armed Forces and their families.
- Encourages the wearing of red poppies on the Friday before Memorial Day.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Members of the Armed Forces
- Families of veterans and military personnel
- Citizens of the United States
- Residents and visitors of the United States
Notable changes
- Formal recognition of National Poppy Day as a day to honor fallen service members.
- Encouragement of widespread poppy-wearing as a symbol of patriotism and gratitude.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. RES. 459
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day
.
Whereas poppies are worn and displayed as a symbolic tribute to fallen and future veterans and members of the Armed Forces;
Whereas the use of the poppy symbolically comes from the poem In Flanders Fields
, which movingly begins, In Flanders Fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row
, referring to the poppies that sprang up in the battlefields and newly dug soldiers’ graves in parts of Belgium and France during World War I;
Whereas John McCrae’s poem inspired Moina Belle Michael of Athens, Georgia, to write her own poem entitled We Shall Keep the Faith
, in which she promised to wear a red poppy to memorialize American soldiers killed in World War I;
Whereas the American Legion family and the Veterans of Foreign Wars adopted the poppy as a symbol of freedom and the blood shed by those who have served in the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas the red poppy has been worn in the United States for more than 80 years as a way to remember those individuals who died fighting for freedom and democracy around the world and to raise money to help disabled veterans;
Whereas the poppy is worn throughout the world to commemorate members of the Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty, as part of Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Poppy Day ceremonies;
Whereas, as the United States commemorates yearly the lives of Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives on Memorial Day, it is fitting to attach the symbolic meaning of the poppy and formally recognize its historic symbolism;
Whereas wearing a poppy can unite citizens from across the country who wish to show their patriotism and appreciation for those who serve as members of the United States Armed Forces; and
Whereas the Friday before each Memorial Day is an appropriate day to recognize as National Poppy Day
: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
supports the goals and ideals of National Poppy Day
;
National Poppy Dayby wearing a red poppy the Friday before Memorial Day as a sign of admiration and thanks to those individuals who died to preserve freedom.