Thursday, March 28, 2024

Memorial Day honoring all Veterans

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Memorial Day, the annual event pays tribute to those veterans who have willingly served their country for decades. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day on which Americans remember and pay tribute to their ancestral family members. It is sometimes easy to forget the true significance of this solemn day.

Where did the poppy tradition originate? The poppy comes from the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Lt. Col. John McCrae. The poem refers to the poppies that grew out of newly dug soldiers’ graves during World War I in Europe.

The American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as it’s memorial flower in 1921and started the Poppy Program in 1924. Today Auxiliary members distribute millions of poppies in exchange for contributions to assist military veterans and their families.

The distribution of poppies is only by donation, never sold. You should look at the poppy and see what it represents. It’s not just a flower with a label on it. Try to remember what the poppy stands for and what the meaning of Memorial Day is. Please take the time to set aside this one day of the year to remember, reflect, and honor those who have given their all-in service to our country.

Everyone should be able to say. “I know why I am free”. Proudly wear a poppy for Memorial Day. In addition, our auxiliary will be putting 1077 small flags on all veteran and auxiliary member’s graves at the Cashmere Cemetery on Saturday, May 27 starting at 9 a.m. Cashmere American Legion Post #64 is planning their Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m. with 474 big flags out this year.

   In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields- a 1919 collection of  Lt. Col. John McCrae
  In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow (grow)
    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.

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