A poppy is not just a flower

It is a symbol
A memorial
A Tribute
To the fearless sons of our soil
Who laid down their lives
For the motherland and you
It is also a ray of hope
A bright light
In the darkness of those who survived
For the ones whose futures are marked

Give back to those who gave
To the wounded, the disabled and the desperate
Give of your time and money
They need you now as we needed them
To protect us.

Give this remembrance week real meaning
Give until you have no more to give
To the forgotten heroes of our time
Purchase a wreath in expression of remembrance
Wear a poppy with pride

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children
Sri Lanka mourns for her dead
Flesh of her flesh they were spirit of her spirit
Fallen in the cause of war

They went with song to battle
They were young
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted
They fell with their faces to the foe

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
Lest we forget

With appreciation to Laurence Binyon The General Ranjan Wijeratne Foundation