Buy a poppy

The American Legion and Auxiliary began selling poppies to raise funds for veterans and their families in 1921. The first poppies were made of silk by French widows and orphans following World War I.

In 1922, American veterans made paper poppies in Minnesota hospitals. The crepe paper was selected because "it provided the maximum of work for the disabled veteran with the minimum expenditures for materials."

Poppy Week is Friday, May 25 through Thursday, May 31. Poppy Day is Saturday, May 26. The Wilson-Head American Legion and Auxiliary of Paonia will be selling the paper poppies.

The poppy was originally selected because it grew wild in the fields of Flanders and France.

Previous to its national distribution through the American Legion and Auxiliary, the poppy was proclaimed in 1920 the memorial flower of the American Legion. The same thing happened in England.

All funds from the sale and distribution of the poppies by the American Legion and Auxiliary minus the cost of materials and shipping is used for assistance to veterans and their families.

Please be generous this year when you see members of the Paonia American Legion and Auxiliary selling the poppies.

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