05/25/2026
On Memorial Day, our country pauses to remember our fallen heroes—both known and unknown—whose service and sacrifice shaped our nation’s story. Many of them came from small towns like Horicon, leaving behind families, farms, and jobs to answer a call greater than themselves.
The Horicon Historical Society honors their memory today.
May we continue to preserve their stories and the legacies they left behind with gratitude.
🌺 Why the Poppy Became a Symbol of Remembrance
Every May, small red poppies— offered by members of the American Legion Auxiliary—begin appearing in the entrances of stores, banks, and community buildings. Many of us recognize these little tissue‑paper flowers, but fewer of our younger generations know why the poppy became such a powerful symbol of remembrance.
The tradition began during the First World War. After the devastation of battle, poppies were often the first flowers to grow in the churned earth of the Western Front. Their bright red petals stood out against the graves of fallen soldiers, creating a striking image of beauty amid loss.
In 1915, Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae captured this scene in his poem “In Flanders Fields,” describing poppies growing among the crosses marking the dead. His words resonated deeply with grieving families and veterans around the world.
Inspired by McCrae’s poem, American professor Moina Michael began wearing a red poppy in 1918 to honor those who died in service. She championed the poppy as a national symbol of remembrance, and by 1920 it had been adopted by the American Legion. The tradition has continued for more than a century.
Today, when we display or wear a poppy on Memorial Day, we join generations of Americans who choose to remember—with gratitude—the sacrifices made by everyday people in the pursuit of freedom.
