Poppy distribution in May
Members of the Russell-Toycen American Legion Post 131 Auxiliary will be distributing poppies this month.
Each year the American Legion Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of red poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. Donations are used exclusively to assist and support veterans and their families. The poppy also reminds the community of the past sacrifices and continuing needs of our veterans. The poppy has become a nationally known and recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn to honor the men and women who served and died for their country in all wars.
In the World War 1 battlefields of Belgium, poppies grew wild amid the ravaged landscape. The overturned soils of battle enable the poppy seeds to be covered, thus allowing them to grow and to forever serve a reminder of the bloodshed during that and future wars.
Around 1924, the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as the organization’s memorial flower and pledged its use to benefit our servicemen and their families.
