Memorial Poppy sales signal start of National Poppy Day
In honor of National Poppy Day last Friday, Brewster mayor, Art Smyth purchases a memorial poppy from three-year-old Ellie Counts in front of the American Legion Park at the end of Main Street.
BREWSTER – Last Friday, May 26, marked the observance of National Poppy Day as the hand-fashioned, blood-red flowers began decorating lapels, button holes, rear-view mirrors and other prominent display spots.
Brewster mayor, Art Smith turned up the American Legion Columbia Post 97 headquarters late Friday morning where he purchased a poppy from three-year-old Ellie Counts, whose presentation to the mayor marked the official beginning of National Poppy Day in Brewster.
Thanks to the efforts of American, Moina Michael, who, following the close of World War I, campaigned to have the red poppy designated the national symbol or remembrance, the American Legion so adopted the flower in 1920. A year later the Legion Auxiliary did the same a year later.
The Auxiliary came up with the original idea to have disabled veterans make the poppies to raise funds to provide financial and therapeutic assistance to disabled and unemployed WWI vets. The Auxiliary paid a penny for each red memorial poppy the veterans made.
NCW Media Newspapers
- The Leavenworth Echo | Leavenworth, WA
- Cashmere Valley Record | Cashmere WA
- Lake Chelan Mirror | Chelan, Manson, Entiat, WA
- Quad City Herald | Brewster, Pateros, Bridgeport, Mansfield, WA
- Wenatchee Business Journal | Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan Counties, WA