Stratford School Plants Field Of Poppies In Memory Of Fallen Soldiers

STRATFORD, Conn. — The lawn in front of Eli Whitney School in Stratford is planted from one end to the other with poppies in honor of fallen soldiers. 

The display, set up for Memorial Day, also includes a blackboard with the poem "In Flanders Fields." 

The war poem — a rondeau — was written during World War I by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae. He was inspired after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lt. Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. 

For Memorial Day, Stratford will hold a ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Academy Hill. A parade will step off at 12:15 p.m. to Main Street to Paradise Green.

Rain was in the forecast for Monday. 

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