>>It has come to my attention that poppies aren't worn on Vetran's day in the US. I'd thought that was an international thing.
>>
>>http://www.canoe.ca/RemembranceDay/poppy.html
>
>I grew up in Philadelphia and don't ever remember seeing that. I assume the custom comes from the poem "In Flanders Field the poppies grow" (and that's all I know of it <g>).

A Canadian wrote that poem, then an American nurse (inspired by the poem) started wearing one. The custom spread to Canada and Europe, but appears to have practically died in the US.