The wearing of poppies in honor of America's war dead is traditionally done on Memorial Day. The practice of wearing of poppies was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written in 1915 by Canadian soldier John McCrae.

"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.

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.

VERG is holding a virtual poppy sale to commemorate and honor the sacrifice of so many men and women who have given their lives fighting for our great country, The United States of America. All donations received will benefit:

VFW Post 8540 – Breezy Point/The Rockaways, NY

VFW Post 7336 – Glendale, NY

National Grid Veterans Employee Resource Group Poppy Sale

By VERG - National Grid

National Grid Veterans Employee Resource Group Poppy Sale

Support our Community Veteran Organizations this Memorial Day