(c) Photo by Mary Nida Smith The Easter Lily is a native of the southern islands of Japan. A WWI soldier, Louis Houghton, brought a suitcase full back to the South coast of Oregon in 1919. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, virtue,innocence, hope and life - the spiritual essence of Easter. Hope for peace and innocence lives saved. Prayers for all military men and women and their famlies.