American Legion Post 218
1007 East Third Street Washington, Missouri 636-239-4363
All members of our American Legion Family may assist with the Poppy Days collections.
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Learn About Poppy Days Here
The American Legion Auxiliary organizes the annual Poppy Days distribution. When anyone donates to Poppy Days, they receive a poppy. The poppy is a symbol of the sacrifices our military have made. Poppy Days is the primary fundraising event for supporting veterans, active military and their families.
Donations are used to support veterans at the St. James Veterans Home, Mexico Veterans Home, St. Louis Veterans Home, the St. Louis VA Medical Centers at John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks, Fisher House in St. Louis, the Veterans Community Project in St. Louis (tiny houses) and the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic and the Grandview Healthcare Center veterans activity fund, both in Washington. We support active-duty military through the USO. In the past we donated to the local Honor Flight.
In addition, auxiliary members use funds to make lab robes, pillowcases, wheelchair caddies, catheter bag covers, dining vests and large blankets for veterans in homes.
The Poppy Story
After World War I, the poppy grew naturally in Europe, particularly in France and Belgium. Scientists believed that the lime rubble of buildings enriched the soil, bringing the red poppies to life. The red poppy was a perfect symbol for the blood spilled in battle. Lt. Colonel John McCrae memorialized the Poppy in his poem, “In Flanders Field.”
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.
McCrae’s poem touched Moina Michael, who led the charge to use the poppy to honor the dead.
As a result of her efforts, Sept. 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion family to memorialize those who fought and died in the war. In 1924, poppy distribution became a national program of the American Legion.
The American Legion Auxiliary leads the Legion family in the distribution of poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower donate to support veterans and active duty military personnel and their families.