The Carlisle Poppy Project started as a community art installation that reminded all who live in Carlisle and those that commute through our town, of the significance of that war, and why we remember those that have fallen. World War One was one of the most deadly combats in global history. While the American losses were less than those in other countries many Americans fought with other troops, prior to 1917, when the US officially entered the war. Many Americans are immigrants to will have lost ancestors, or distant family in the " War to End All Wars".
The significance of the poppies come from the poem by John MacCrae, “Flanders Field”.
The story behind the design for November 2018 was developed through conversations at our weekly workshops. The poppies flowing down from Lady Liberty’s cape in rows represent the soldiers marching off to war from their homeland. The road represents the seas crossed, and traffic island represents other lands. The poppies on the common represent the battlefields of Europe, where many perished. Each poppy is different as every life is unique and precious. The different colored centers represent different aspects of service, purple is for the animals, white is for the medical core, blue is for marines, and some have hearts for loved ones. The poppies are planted in both the island and rotary to represent those that died elsewhere, and those that returned home but died prematurely as a result of their injuries. The poppies on the road represent those that died at sea. The wreaths remind us that this was a global war and the circle of life. The one black poppy reminds us of the millions of civilian deaths as a result of this conflict.
The success and size of this project relied on the involvement of the community. The installation was possible due to the prolific poppy makers, the support of the Selectmen, the Council on Aging, and other Town Hall departments, the Gleason Public Library who hosted our events, Old Home Day booth organized by the Cultural Council, the different student volunteer who ran workshops, created a WW1 display at the Historic Society, and painted the road red, and the volunteers who glued and pinned thousands of poppies in the last 6 weeks. This project has been self funded by the community with small donations from local town organizations.
The significance of the poppies come from the poem by John MacCrae, “Flanders Field”.
The story behind the design for November 2018 was developed through conversations at our weekly workshops. The poppies flowing down from Lady Liberty’s cape in rows represent the soldiers marching off to war from their homeland. The road represents the seas crossed, and traffic island represents other lands. The poppies on the common represent the battlefields of Europe, where many perished. Each poppy is different as every life is unique and precious. The different colored centers represent different aspects of service, purple is for the animals, white is for the medical core, blue is for marines, and some have hearts for loved ones. The poppies are planted in both the island and rotary to represent those that died elsewhere, and those that returned home but died prematurely as a result of their injuries. The poppies on the road represent those that died at sea. The wreaths remind us that this was a global war and the circle of life. The one black poppy reminds us of the millions of civilian deaths as a result of this conflict.
The success and size of this project relied on the involvement of the community. The installation was possible due to the prolific poppy makers, the support of the Selectmen, the Council on Aging, and other Town Hall departments, the Gleason Public Library who hosted our events, Old Home Day booth organized by the Cultural Council, the different student volunteer who ran workshops, created a WW1 display at the Historic Society, and painted the road red, and the volunteers who glued and pinned thousands of poppies in the last 6 weeks. This project has been self funded by the community with small donations from local town organizations.
Why Poppies?
The Canadian doctor and soldier penned this poem while fighting in France during World War 1.
After the war this was adopted as a symbol of remembering those that have given their life due to conflict.
In Flanders Field
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.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
John MacCrae (1872 – 1918)
After the war this was adopted as a symbol of remembering those that have given their life due to conflict.
In Flanders Field
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.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
John MacCrae (1872 – 1918)
The National WW1 Museum and Memorial.
The National WW1 Museum and Memorial in Kansas City has a wonderful website on WW1.