Auxiliary to sell poppies May 12 “And now the Torch and Poppy red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields.” We shall keep faith – Moina Michael Tammy Konz, mayor of the city of Kimball, has proclaimed Saturday, May 12, as Poppy Day, and asks that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy on this day. In making the proclamation, mayor Konz said “Millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle. A nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war. The red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars, and the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower. American Legion Auxiliary volunteers will distribute the familiar, handcrafted poppies honoring America’s war dead Friday-Saturday, May 11-12, designated as Poppy Day by Auxiliary Unit 261 of Kimball. Planned to coincide with the (Memorial Day) (Veterans Day) holiday, the annual event pays tribute to those veterans who have died in the last 80 years. It also honors the millions of Americans who have willingly served their country in eight decades. It serves and honors veterans with all proceeds from the distribution invested in local programs for the benefit of veterans and their families. Each nine-piece poppy is made by veterans in Auxiliary-sponsored Poppy Shops that supplement physical and psychological therapy needed by hospitalized and disabled veterans. The Auxiliary provides the materials and the volunteers. The veteran makes the poppy and is paid a small amount for each painstakingly-made flower. for some, it is his or her only income. No matter what the cost of maintaining and supplying the Poppy Shops, the memorial poppy is never sold, but given in exchange for contribution. The Poppy Program has been part of Auxiliary programming for more than 70 years. It has been estimated that approximately 25 million Americans wear the poppy to honor America’s war dead and veterans, contributing more than $2 million for rehabilitation and welfare programs. Anita Hoefer, Poppy chairman Kimball American Legion Auxiliary Unit 261
