History and High Heels: Poppy Inspiration: Thanking our Veterans

Veterans Day is coming up this Tuesday to honor the dedication and sacrifices made by our veterans. The day originated from Armistice Day at the end of the Great War (WWI), where the Treaty of Versailles was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1919 (November 11, 1919). The treaty officially ended the Great War and brought back an unsteady peace to Europe. In 1926 Congress passed a resolution for an official observance of Veterans Day and by 1938 it became a national holiday. Poppies have become synonymous with honoring our veterans, who are celebrated on the same day in Canada, England, and beyond. There it is called Remembrance Day and it is common to see veterans on the streets selling poppy pins to benefit veterans associations. The poppy tradition comes from a famous poem about WWI called "In Flanders Fields" penned by Canadian surgeon John McCrae in 1915. From there, the flower has come to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by our service members in the past and present.

The scarlet corn poppy is such a beautiful and simple flower with oval red petals and a deep black circular core. This week the poppy was my inspiration. It's vitally important that we remember the men and women who give their lives to protect our country. Their dedication to our country's ideals of liberty democracy, and equality is inspirational and remind us of just how lucky we are. Our veterans need to be celebrated not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but every day of the year. Unfortunately, our nation's disorganized Veterans Affairs organization has made it difficult for many veterans to return to daily life. That is why there are high numbers of homeless veterans. In Kansas City, there are estimated to be 1,400 homeless veterans. If this bothers you like it does me, take a look at Kansas City Stand Down organization and see how you can help our veterans who did so much for us.