Bringing Back the Poppy

A Wall Street firm is trying to bring back the Memorial Day poppy. From the Wall Street Journal this weekend:

Kudos to Jason DeSena Trennert for starting a campaign to bring the poppy back to Wall Street. On Tuesday, Mr. Trennert and his colleagues at Strategas Research Partners will be wearing red crepe-paper poppies and also sharing them with clients. He's trying to renew a great tradition.

Once upon a time, before Memorial Day inspired thoughts of a weekday at the beach, it marked an opportunity to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of America. The poppy became a symbol of remembrance and gratitude for departed soldiers after World War I and the publication of the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields."

A fine idea.

When I was a boy there was an American Legion member or two on every block selling the little plastic or paper poppies. It's been a long time since I've seen anyone with one of the little red poppies in his lapel.