Red Poppies for Ukrainian Freedom and “Never Again”
By Kevin Patterson
For the third year in a row, DAWN is honored to be invited to participate and represent the Ukrainian community in the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.
On Saturday, June 7, volunteers will march in the parade to raise awareness and support for Ukraine.
DAWN’s floral theme, “Red Poppies,” is especially relevant today.
The artificial red poppy, known as a “remembrance poppy,” is significant in many western nations. In the United States (and British Commonwealth countries), the remembrance poppy has been a widely-recognized symbol since World War I, honoring those who served and died for their country. Remembrance poppies have been used annually to raise funds for veterans, and are trademarked in the British Commonwealth. The American Legion also distributes this symbolic flower on National Poppy Day, May 23.
The symbolic poppy appeared shortly after World War I, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by a Canadian military doctor.
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.
– John McCrae (1915)
Never Again symbol from Ukraine
A remembrance poppy being presented to U.S. President Harry S. Truman from the president of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Ukraine first adopted the remembrance poppy in May 2014, joining western nations in embracing this symbol of human dignity and reminder of the terrible cost of war. The Ukrainian red poppy is often accompanied by the phrase, “Never Again.”
The Ukraine Day of Remembrance, May 8, is the date of the official Nazi surrender in 1945. Eight million Ukrainians lost their lives in the struggle against Naziism during this period.
Under President Volodymyr Zelensky, in 2023 the Ukraine Day of Remembrance officially joined the observance date of most western nations, marking a break from the soviet-era date.
As Ukraine struggles today to remain democratic and independent against new aggressors, the red poppy and “Never Again,” carries fresh significance.
Come support DAWN and the Ukrainian community’s march for freedom at the Portland Rose Festival. The Grand Floral Parade is June 7 from 10 am to 12 PM. Parade route and more information can be found at the Grand Floral Parade website.