Legion Auxiliary to sell poppies this weekend
Members of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 136 will be stationed around the island Nov. 9-10 with their red crepe paper poppies to raise money for veterans’ rehabilitation.
Although devastation spread over the battlefields of France in World War I in 1919, an abundance of poppies bloomed during the spring where many had fallen. The poppy soon became the memorial flower for the American Legion Auxiliary due to its meaning “an emblem of faith.”
The action to adopt the poppy took place during a national convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 27-29, 1920, by the American Legion and in October 1921, the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy for its memorial flower in Kansas City, Mo.
Once the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the flower, members pledged to donate 100 percent of the profits to the welfare relief for service members and their families.
In the fall of 1944, the Liberty Ship “SS Moina Michael” was launched in Savannah, Ga.,and named in honor of the women who originated the idea of wearing poppies as a tribute to the fallen.
Disabled veterans create the red crepe paper poppies by hand, and they are paid for their work. Once the 25,000,000 poppies are created, they are dispersed to the American Legion Auxiliaries throughout the United States.
Linda Lewis, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 136 president, said in addition to the ladies presence Friday and Saturday, they will also have cans placed around the island at various locations. She said the poppies will be attached to the can for individuals to take after they donate whatever amount of money they chose for the cause.
Lewis said some of the locations the auxiliary will be located at include Circle K, Winn-Dixie, St. James General Store and the American Legion.