The American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Days are coming up in West Liberty on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21.
Donation canisters have already been placed at a number of local businesses, and Auxiliary members will be out and about in town offering poppies for donations on those dates.
Poppies began after World War I when many young men not only from the West Liberty community, but across the land, gave their service in the defense of the United States in an exalted spirit of patriotism, and some were called upon to sacrifice their lives in that service.
Many others were called upon to sacrifice health and strength, with resulting suffering and hardships to not only themselves, but to their families.
The memory of these patriotic sacrifices should forever be kept fresh in the minds of patriotic citizens.
The wearing of the Memorial Poppy honors both the dead and aids the disabled and dependents. The little red flower takes added significance from the fact that it is made by the war disabled.
All West Liberty citizens are encouraged to observe the wearing of a poppy. Donations will be used to provide financial, social and emotional support for all those who have served their country, and their families.
As a reminder, it’s recommended the poppy be worn with respect on one’s left side, over the heart. The red of the poppy represents the blood of those who gave their lives, the black button in the middle is for the mourning of those who never welcomed their loved ones back home, and the green leaf shows the hope that the grass and crops growing after the war brings.
The leaf of the poppy, if there is one, should be positioned at the orientation of 11 o’clock, to symbolize the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month – the time that World War I formally ended.
This year the West Liberty branch of the Legion Auxiliary is fortunate to have one of our members, Chamber “Spirit of West Liberty” award winner Kelly Morrison, volunteered to create a poppy-themed window display at Fulwider’s Insurance office. Watch for that coming soon to 120 East Third Street in downtown West Liberty.