‘In Flanders Fields’

The Poplar Bluff Museum tells many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

“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.”

This poem was written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae after the second battle of Ypres in 1915. After the 17-day battle, McCrae performed a burial service for his friend. He noticed how the red poppies quickly grew around the graves in the Flanders cemetery. His poem quickly became one of the most popular pieces of literature coming out of World War I.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 the guns fell silent. The armistice was signed and the war was over. The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance for those who had fallen in the “Great War.” Moina Michael spread the tradition to the American Legion who still today hands out red poppies on Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day.

An eight foot painting of Flanders Fields was donated to the Poplar Bluff Museum. It was painted by the students of Neelyville High School. It depicts a soldier walking through a field of red poppies. In the clouds there are figures of soldiers. The painting is on display just outside the “Hall of Heroes.” Also on display in Kanell Hall’s World War I exhibit is a photo of a Poplar Bluff soldiers grave. He is resting in Flanders Field.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main Street. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.