Jane Soule, top left, of Woodstock Vt., paints a clay poppy with a group of women from the Thompson Senior Center during an art project on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at the senior center in Woodstock, Vt. The project is a theraputic process for the participants and a way to honor veterans. (Valley News - Charles Hatcher) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com
Jane Soule, top left, of Woodstock Vt., paints a clay poppy with a group of women from the Thompson Senior Center during an art project on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at the senior center in Woodstock, Vt. The project is a theraputic process for the participants and a way to honor veterans. (Valley News - Charles Hatcher) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com Credit: Valley News photographs — Charles Hatcher

Woodstock — Inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written in 1915 by Canadian physician, soldier and poet John McCrae, red poppies became synonymous with remembrance after World War I and now appear in Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies across this country, and in many others, as well.

And for the past three years, ceramic versions of the flower have played a role in the national day of remembrance as acknowledged at the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock. Called “The Thompson Poppy Project,” the center partners with ArtisTree Community Arts Center in South Pomfret — and, new this year, art students at Woodstock Union High School — to create ceramic poppies.

“It’s so moving to see all these veterans in uniform,” said Pam Butler, program director at Thompson. The poppies are staked in the ground for the ceremony, which is led by the American Legion. “We thought, why not include them and increase the awareness of those who are serving and those who served?”

Last month, a group of seven women worked on glazing the ceramic poppies during a workshop under the instruction of Finnie Trimpi, outreach coordinator at ArtisTree.

“I think that it’s important to bring awareness to the history that these folks are so familiar with,” Trimpi said, pausing as she explained that the seemingly dull red glaze would become bright once the pieces were baked in the kiln. “Each poppy is unique.”

The project came about after Diana Hayes, a former Woodstock resident, received a ceramic poppy from an art exhibit that was constructed around the Tower of London in 2014 to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of World War I.

After Hayes showed the poppy to people at the Thompson Center, the nonprofit was inspired to do its own and was connected with Fiona Davis, ceramics director at ArtisTree.

“They were more than happy to get this going,” Butler said.

During the first session, the group worked alongside high school students using templates to make about 30 poppies out of clay.

“We really love doing intergenerational projects here,” Butler said.

Catherine Harriman, of Woodstock, was an Air Force medic from 1966 to 1969. She had two brothers who served in Vietnam and both of her parents served during World War II.

“It’s instilled in us, the patriotism,” she said.

Jane Soule and Pauline Holt, both of Woodstock, were excited to take part in the project for the first time. They both have family members who have served in the armed forces.

“I’m obnoxiously patriotic,” Soule said. “I think we need to support our troops, former and present. I think it’s very important.”

Editor’s note: The Veterans Day ceremony will take place on Nov. 9, at 11:45 a.m., at the Thompson Senior Center, 99 Senior Lane. After the ceremony, veterans are invited to a free lunch. Reservations required at 802-457-3277. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.