Volunteers Vickie Allen, Pam Break, Delores and Kirk Faulkner, Virginia Mendlik, and Donna Segal were at Lowe’s on Preston Road Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day to hand out poppies. These pictures were taken in front of the military display in the parking lot at Lowe’s.
After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Its growth was attributed to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by World War I. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battles following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.
The poppy became the official flower of The American Legion on September 22, 1920, to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during World War I. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.
The American Legion Auxiliary has used poppies for many years to raise awareness and support for our nation’s veterans.