Britsburgh to launch its own poppy appeal
Imagine 53,402 red poppies blooming in a Pittsburgh park — one for each United States soldier who died in battle during World War I. Each flower is handmade using steel and other Pittsburgh materials and each is available for purchase, with the proceeds — of $1 million or more — going to veterans charities.
That’s the vision of a new, but vintage-tinged effort announced Wednesday by British-American Connections Pittsburgh, the nonprofit behind the annual Britsburgh festival. During the fourth fest Sept. 4-9, 2018, the group would like to see a local public space turn red with poppies, which have been used as a symbol to remember and raise funds for veterans since WWI ended.
Nov. 11, 2018, will be the 100th anniversary of the end of that war. The Britsburgh World War I Centennial Appeal begins this Nov. 11 with a series of local events that the group hopes might go national or even global.
“We think this could be huge for Pittsburgh but this is a lot of work,” said Robert Charlesworth, chairman of BACP, which is looking to add to partners with which it’s already working on this program “to honor those who gave their lives in defense of freedom, the veterans of all wars who remain, and increase awareness such that the youth of today will remember and learn from the great sacrifice made on their behalf.”
The inspiration goes back to 1921 when, inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders’ Fields,” about poppies near graves on a battlefield, the Royal British Legion sold 9 million fabric poppies and raised 106,000 pounds to help WWI vets with employment and housing.
“Poppy appeals” continued, including in 2014, when, to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war and all British and Commonwealth casualties, artist Paul Cummins made 888,246 ceramic poppies that were installed in the moat of the Tower of London. “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” raised some $30 million for veterans charities. Mr. Charlesworth said BACP plans to contact Mr. Cummins for his counsel.
The group is still working out details on who would make its poppy sculptures and with what, but Mr. Charlesworth said the idea is to commission local artists and supply them with materials donated by local businesses.
He said a “logical location” for the art installation would be the grounds at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Oakland, but city parks also would be considered. The selling price per poppy could be in the $35 to $50 range. The funds would go to a half dozen or so local and international veterans charities that still are to be determined too.
Needs include a project manager and lead artist, working and storage space and a national carrier to deliver the poppies. Anyone who wishes to help is urged to contact the group by emailing poppyappeal@britsburgh.com.
“If this takes off,” he said, “we could increase the number of poppies to the total number of American dead, which was 116,708,” counting civilians. “It all depends on ... if Pittsburgh is willing to lead the way across the U.S. in bringing the messages of World War I to the present day and at the same time raising a ton of money for veterans.”
In the meantime, BACP will kick off the campaign with a series of remembrance events with other local organizations around this Veterans/Remembrance Day:
• Nov. 11 — A 10:45 a.m. service of remembrance at the Veterans Breakfast Club of Pittsburgh at Duquesne University.
• Nov. 12 — 11 a.m. Remembrance Sunday service atthe 23rd Ward World War I Memorial on the North Shore, where a plastic-and paper poppy wreath will be laid.
• Nov. 12 — From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Britsburgh History Society and the Allegheny YMCA recreate London’s famous WWI Eagle Hut, a relief and recreation canteen for American soldiers on leave, at the Y at 600 W. North Ave. on the North Side. “The Red Triangle — The YMCA in World War I” will feature coffee and pancakes, re-enactors, Heinz History Center and University of Pittsburgh exhibits, period music and games, and families are welcome to bring their own artifacts and stories.
• Nov. 12 — A 1 p.m. VIP pre-show with Soldiers & Sailors curator Michael Kraus before the 2:30 p.m. Prime Stage Theatre performance of “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which runs from Nov. 3-12 at New Hazlett Theater on the North Shore.
More events will be added as the year goes on.
The plastic-and-paper poppies from the Royal British Legion will be available at the seevents for a small donation.Mr. Charlesworth hopes Pittsburghers will “re-embrace” them and remember.
“‘Lest we forget’ is a very important phrase,” he said, adding of the effort, “It’s a lofty idea. I think we can pull it off.”
For more details, visit Britsburgh.com.