Poppy Day - Support our Veterans

Thursday, May 24, 2012 is POPPY Day in Elmhurst

DID YOU KNOW...

That in the spring of 1919, amidst complete devastation,
the poppies bloomed in abundance on the battlefield of
France, where so many of our men had fallen in battle? 

That The American Legion was the first national organization, to adopt the poppy as its official Memorial Flower at the National Convention in Cleveland, September 29 - 30, 1920, and the American Legion Auxiliary adopted it as its Memorial Flower at its organizing convention held in Kansas City, in October, 1921?

That at the time the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy it pledged the profits from poppy distribution 100% to welfare relief for service men and women and their families, thus fulfilling the true meaning of poppy: an emblem of faith, faith which is being kept with all who died, through service to the living?

That the memorial poppies are made by hand, by disabled veterans in hospitals and poppy workrooms throughout the United States, and that the workers receive pay for each poppy made, the material being furnished free by the Department in the state in which the hospital is located?

That through the American Legion Auxiliary poppy program more than $300,000 is paid annually to needy and disabled servicemen and women for making the poppies? 

That the more than 25,000,000 poppies are made by disabled veterans area distributed on the streets under the supervision of the American Legion Auxiliary by approximately 125,000 volunteer workers who receive no compensation? 

That 100% of the monies collected on Poppy Day, are used to benefit veterans and there families?

Won't you help our veterans and show your support of our veterans, by wearing a poppy of May 24?  If you don't see a Legion or Auxiliary member on the streets of Elmhurst, stop by the American Legion at 310 W. Butterfield and get your poppy there.