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How the Poppy Appeal began
- Miss Moina Bell Michael |
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Moina Bell Michael (1869-1944) |
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 Moina Bell Michael pursued
with dedication, determination, and diligence the goal of
establishing the red poppy of Flanders fields as a universal
symbol of tribute to the men who died in World War I and the
surviving veterans of that war.
Born in Walton County, Miss Michael began her long teaching
career shortly before her 16th birthday and over the years
she taught in county, town, state and church schools. She
was in Europe in 1914 when the war broke out and briefly
served on the American Committee to aid stranded tourists.
She returned to the United States with firsthand knowledge
of some of the horrors of war and full of concern for the
fighting man.
After the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, she
was eager to do some type of war work and served as social
secretary for the YMCA Overseas Headquarters in New York
City. On November 9, 1918, the Saturday before the
Armistice, she read Col. John McCrae’s poem, “We Shall Not
Sleep” later named “In Flanders Fields.”
The poem and its message made a lasting impression. She
pledged not to forget the sacrifices of those who fought and
wrote her own poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith.”
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An original 1921 Silk Poppy
WE SHALL KEEP THE FAITH
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valour led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honour of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
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She resolved always to wear
red silk poppies-poppies of Flanders fields and began a
campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute and
support for veterans. Her persistent efforts led to the
emblem's launch by March 1919. The idea spread to
England, France, Australia, and over 50 other countries.
 Miss Michael devoted the rest of her life to this cause.
Disabled veterans made the poppies, and all the profits
went to the relief or rehabilitation of these veterans
or their needy dependents. By the time of her death in
1944, approximately $200 million had been raised for
this cause in the United States and England.
Miss Michael received numerous honours including the
American Legion Auxiliary Distinguished Service Medal in
1930. The Georgia Legislature designated her a
“Distinguished Citizen” in 1931 and the American Legion
and Auxiliary placed a marble bust of her in the state
capitol in 1937. Recognition continued after her death,
including a memorial marker and the naming of a liberty
ship, Moina Michael. She valued her honours principally
because they came to Georgia and a Georgia woman. For
her successful efforts to establish the poppy as a
universal symbol of tribute to and support for veterans,
Moina Michael is named a Georgia Woman of Achievement.
Notes:
This narrative has been republished with permission by
The Director, of The Georgia (USA) Women of Achievement
follow this link
Women of
Achievement Site
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Download
our Royal British Legion in
North
Staffordshire county publication of the
narrative.
Back to top
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TA Veterans from around the United Kingdom are invited to attend the
National TA100 Armed Forces Memorial Parade and Service at the National Memorial
Arboretum Staffordshire. Saturday 13th September 2008 1400 hours.
Contact
Bob Rankin
TA
Veterans
Organiser for TA Veterans, Royal British Legion & Regimental Associations
Telephone: 01782 444246
Mobile: 07921 611280. Click on link to the
TA100 Armed Forces Memorial
Event page.
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