The Victory Garden, located immediately in front of the stage, not only comprises a myriad of foliage, but also the soil from over 100 battlefields, installations, and American military cemeteries from around the world.
These soils have been lovingly gathered at various times, at various locations and have been transported by various means to arrive at this place. They have joined together with our Colorado soil to provide the nourishment and sustenance for the beautiful plants and flowers that adorn this garden now and into the future. From the soils that saw the horror and ugliness of war have come the beauty and solitude that only a garden can bring. From soils that witnessed mortality now springs life. The poppies, when in bloom, are germinated from original seeds from Flanders Fields, Ypres, Belgium.
In Flanders Fields
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.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Major John McCrae, May 1915
Soil From Around The World
The Victory Garden is made up of soil from the following countries. For a complete list of locations, see below "Complete Listing"
