The Bradford American Legion Post 108 in conjunction with the Auxiliary traditionally chooses a child from the community each year for the honor of representing the Poppy program during Memorial Day events and National Poppy Day — this year’s Little Miss Poppy is Spencer Nichole White.
White will have the privilege of riding in the Memorial Day Committee’s car during the Memorial Day Parade, slated for Monday at 10:15 a.m. Additionally, she will be responsible for escorting American Legion Navy Officer Jerry Kohler during the ceremonial tossing of the wreath into the Tunungwant Creek — symbolizing a remembrance of United States sailors who have been lost at sea.
On Sept. 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion, to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died in World War I. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of the Legion.
Why poppies? After World War I the poppy flower began to flourish on former battlefields in Europe. Scientists who studied the phenomena attributed the growth of these poppies to soils in France and Belgium becoming overly enriched with lime from rubble and debris left behind by the war.
Growing from the dirt and mud of France and Belgium, the vibrant and beautiful red poppy became a symbolization of the blood shed during battle.
The American Legion brought National Poppy Day to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day, according to Auxiliary President Amy Peterson. Poppy day is celebrated today.
By wearing a red poppy today individuals may honor the fallen and support the living who have worn the uniform of the U.S. Stop by the American Legion or VFW Post 212 to purchase a poppy.
Buddy Poppies are assembled annually by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals. The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children.
