MORGANTOWN — It used to be common to wear poppies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, as a way to honor all veterans, World War II veteran Roy Clarkson said.
He said wearing the red flower was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by Lt.-Col. John McCrae, a Canadian physician.
“The poem was very popular after World War I and World War II,” Clarkson said. “It fell out of favor.”
The 92-year-old said his daughter and grandson hadn’t heard of the tradition, but the Morgantown Lions Club is trying to bring the custom back.
Volunteers used to walk the streets of Morgantown selling the paper flowers for $1 each. Now, one area VFW will offer them.
Clarkson said all money raised from the paper poppies will be donated to help local veterans. The paper poppies are made by wounded veterans, he said.
The Westover VFW has a memorial poppy plaque, where the paper poppies can be obtained for
a donation.
Poppies can be worn anytime to honor veterans, but Clarkson said he especially encourages people to wear them on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and Memorial Day is the last Monday in May.
