Prince William County Honors Fallen Service Members During “Poppies for Patriots” Memorial Day Ceremony

County residents, staff and the members of the Board of County Supervisors recently gathered at the McCoart Government Center for the “Poppies for Patriots” Memorial Day Ceremony. 

The tradition of wearing poppies to remember the nation’s fallen service members was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Lt. Col. John McCrae who noticed a cluster of poppies soon after the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I. The poem reflects on the fallen buried in Flanders Fields, where poppies grew among rows of crosses marking the graves of soldiers lost in battle. 

A woman named Moina Michael, having read McCrae’s poem, wrote a poem of her own in response entitled “We Shall Keep the Faith.” Michael committed to always wear a red poppy as a way to honor and remember those who died, and as a show of support for veterans.  

In 1920, the National American Legion voted the poppy as the official U.S. emblem of remembrance. 

Prince William County Chair at-Large Deshundra Jefferson spoke in remembrance of those who died in service to the country. 

“Tonight, as is our annual tradition in Prince William County, we have come together to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. On this solemn day, we pause to remember those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom and peace,” Jefferson said. “That is why we gather annually in May, to offer residents an opportunity to remember and honor those who gave their lives during wartime.”  

Keynote speaker Jesse Citizen, Chair of the Prince William County Veterans Commission, also spoke during the ceremony. 

“The poppy is a delicate flower, but its history is forged in iron,” Citizen said. “It first bloomed on the devastated battlefields of Flanders during World War I, where the earth was most scarred and the landscape broken. The crimson poppy was the first sign of returning life. To the soldier, it became a symbol of hope – a quiet reminder that even from the absolute depths of sacrifice, beauty and liberty can still grow. As we wear these poppies today, we are wearing a collective promise that we will never let the ‘disturbance’ of their sacrifice be forgotten.”  

County Executive Chris Shorter emceed the ceremony and reflected on the symbolism of the American flag and the red poppy during his closing remarks. 

“The flag is a powerful symbol, and when we see it, we are reminded of the story it carries: a story written through courage, sacrifice and service. Every fold, every stripe and every star reminds us that freedom has never been free. Together, the flag and the poppy tell the story of Memorial Day: remembering our fallen, honoring their service and renewing our commitment to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.”  

Prince William County Police Officer Miles Merwin opened the ceremony by singing the National Anthem during the Presentation of the Colors by the Prince William Joint Honor Guard. Bugler Donna Flory concluded the ceremony by performing “Taps.” 

Visit the county's YouTube channel to watch the full ceremony. 

For residents unable to attend the ceremony, they are welcome to stop by the McCoart Building, 1 County Complex Court, to write the name of a loved one, someone they know who died in combat or a message of support on a red poppy to add to the poppy wall. The display will be available through the Memorial Day weekend.