The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. Photo courtesy Pixabay

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - For the American Legion Auxiliary May is known as Veterans Poppy month, with this year’s National Poppy Day falling on May 23.

Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion Family brought National Poppy Day to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day.

The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.

During World War I, the poppy flourished on the battlefields of Flander’s Field among the shelled buildings and bomb-scarred landscape. Like the blood that was shed there, its brilliant red bloom became a sign of hope and renewal. For those who would never leave, those who had given their lives, it is a perpetual memorial to their bravery.

American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), Unit 383, in Fair Oaks thanks veterans for their valor and sacrifices by distributing red poppies to wear as a symbol to honor the fallen and to support our nation’s men and women in uniform who protect us.

Our veterans shed blood and tears protecting our democracy. They suffer wounds visible and invisible, and their families suffer along with them.

We thank our veterans for their sacrifices, patriotism and love of country.

American Legion Auxiliary booths have been set up all month in front of participating local businesses across our community for the distribution of red poppies.

The American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters states wearing a poppy is in honor of the fallen and support the lives who have worn our nation’s uniform.

The red crepe paper poppies are given out free to the public, however, donations are accepted and are devoted to helping our veterans. The donations go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our country.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 383 will have a Poppy booth distributing poppies at these following dates and locations:

May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Grocery Outlet located at 6059 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights.

May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ace Hardware, 9500 Greenback Lane Suite 10 in Folsom.

May 24 from 10 a.m. to close at the Fair Oak Cemetery District 27th annual Memorial Day Ceremony, 7780 Olive St. in Fair Oaks.

To this day, the red poppy is a perpetual memorial to the sacrifices made by our fallen veterans for our freedom. We must never forget those who have given their all.

For more information, call Poppy Chairperson Janet Payne at 916-532-2736.

The blood and tears shed by our fallen heroes is symbolized in the red poppies immortalized in the wartime poem, “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army World War I, while serving on the frontlines:

“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,” (In Flanders Fields, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, M.D.).