“Forget-Me-Not” before the Poppy

Archival Moment

July 1: In Newfoundland and Labrador is Memorial Day.

Forget me Not.  The Flower of Newfoundland soldiers.

Forget me Not. The Flower of Newfoundland soldiers.

Legend has it that when God was naming flowers that a plant called out to God saying ”Forget-me-not, O Lord!” God replied, “That shall be your name.”

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the “Forget-Me-Not” was used to commemorate “our nation’s dead” those who had died in WWI or WWII. The small flowers were pinned in the same way that the poppy is used on Remembrance Day.  In Newfoundland and Labrador the tradition of wearing a ‘Forget Me Not’  is still in limited use today. Following  Confederation with Canada the tradition of wearing the ‘Forget Me Not”  was displaced by the poppy.

The “Forget-Me-Not”  are used internationally to remind people to reflect over something worthwhile that has been given.

Recommended Song: “Little Blue Forget Me Not”  written and performed by Bud Davidge; music by Sim Savory  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrfWQl_n28w

Recommended Action: On July 1 wear a ‘Forget Me Not’.

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