Anzac Day - significance of wearing a poppy in rememberance

I saw this post on facebook the other day and really wanted to share, this post explains how and why we wear a poppy in rememberance for Anzac Day. Whoever originally shared this, thank you so much for ensuring we understand the significance of wearing the poppy.
Post as below:

'A lovely military man selling poppies stopped me today and asked if he could reposition mine - while doing so he told me that women should wear their poppy on their right side; the red represents the blood of all those who gave their lives, the black represents the mourning of those who didn't have their loved ones return home, and the green leaf represents the grass and crops growing and future prosperity after the war destroyed so much. The leaf should be positioned at 11 o'clock to represent the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the time that World War One formally ended. He was worried that younger generations wouldn't understand this and his generation wouldn't be around for much longer to teach them. We must remember those from our current wars too!  #lestweforget'

Photo credit for the above image goes to Jacqualyn Kempe (sister) who is currently travelling around Europe with two of my other sisters and shared her photo and the following post:

'As ANZAC day is approaching, we are very fortunate to enjoy the freedom of travel and to be able to walk in France where the poppies grow wild. We have really been moved by this experience and remember the ANZACS Thank you to all our soldiers for your sacrifices'

'Lest we forget'

This morning I attended our local ANZAC day service. Our service was held on the banks of the Murray River, underneath the gumtrees - a very Australian location and quite moving.  I was extremely heartened to see hundreds of people honouring our ANZACs and in particular large numbers of young people in attendance.  During the service a poem was read which I hadn't heard before.  I was really moved by the poem and wanted to share it here with you all:

                                                        "New Generation Veterans"
                                             

We honour our old veterans, we honour them with pride,
And read of all the horrors they have carried deep inside,
We know they served in Asia or New Guinea’s highland rains,
Vietnam or in Africa where many men were slain.

We know that fateful landing on Gallipoli’s dark shore,
Wherever Aussies fought, we know there are so many more,
But now a new young generation needs our help as well,
They too have been to war and suffer with their private hell.

Though losses are not classed as great, their fears are just the same,
Those electronic hidden bombs, still injure, kill or maim,
They fight against an enemy they find so hard to see,
Who mingle in the market place, then cause much tragedy.

Insurgents in Afghanistan hide in the rough terrain,
Or roaming in Iraq, where, wearing robes they look the same,
The suicide stealth bombers, don’t care who they hurt or kill,
Then, with their own beliefs, they try to break our forces will.

Our fighting Aussie spirit shows on any foreign land,
They’re in the skies, they’re on the sea, or on the desert sand,
Now many are returning with the horrors they still see,
And living with their nightmares, suffering bureaucracy.

I know on ANZAC Day, we all remember with a tear,
But ALL vets, young or old, they need our help throughout the year,
Support and listen to their stories, when they do get told,
Let’s honour our NEW veterans, just like we do our old.

David J Delaney

10 February 2010 ©

We will remember them - Lest we forget