Poppy Day held in Rugby
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit of Clarence Larson Post #23 held Poppy Day on Wednesday, May 3 in Rugby.
Volunteers distributed red handcrafted memorial poppies in exchange for free-will donations.
Poppy Day is held to remind America of the price of war and the sacrifice of millions of lives, according to the American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Day fact sheet. The Poppy Day distribution also honors all of Americas Veterans of five wars and two conflicts.
Poppy Day began after soldiers returned from France following World War I. The day started as an effort of veterans and their families to remind people of the debt owed to those who served and died in the war. It has continued to this day as a way to honor the war dead and wounded.
Each poppy is made by veterans for veterans in Auxiliary-sponsored Poppy Shops that supplement physical and psychological therapy needed by hospitalized and disabled veterans. All materials and volunteers are provided by the Auxiliary. Veterans make the poppies and are paid a small amount for each flower.
The Auxiliary will be holding a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Hall. A chicken dinner will be served immediately after the program by the American Legion Auxiliary.