Glenwood American Legion Auxiliary poppy symbolizes nation’s sacrifice

Auxiliary members of Curry Ainsworth Post 168 understand the sacrifice our Armed Forces have made to preserve freedom and to honor past and current service members.

Poppies are available for the public at most local businesses for small donation. All monies collected directly supports servicemembers, veterans, and their families through the ALA’s outreach programs.

Members will wear a red Memorial Poppy, a symbol of the price of war and the sacrifice of millions, as a sign of their appreciation this Memorial Day weekend.

In battlefields of Belgium during World War I, poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. The overturned soils of battle enabled the poppy seeds to be covered, allowing them to grow and forever serve as a reminder of the bloodshed of war.

The poppy became a symbol of the sacrifice of lives in war and represented the hope that none had died in vain. The American Legion Auxiliary poppy has continued to bloom for the casualties of four wars, its petal of paper bound together for veterans by veterans, reminding Americans each year that the men and women who have served and died for their country deserve to be remembered.

The Parts of the Poppy

The red petals stand for the vast outpouring of blood.

The green and black center, stand for the mud and desolation of all battlefields.

The green of the stem is symbolic of the forests, meadows and fields where generations of Americans have perished to make this land free.

The stem represents the courage and determination of our fallen warriors.

The assembled product, a flower, is a symbol of resurrection which is sure to follow.

In Flanders Fields

by Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.