As Memorial Day approaches, members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #61 in Sutton are preparing once again to distribute red poppies throughout the community, continuing a tradition rooted in remembrance, service, and support for veterans both past and present.
National Poppy Day will be observed Friday, May 22, with Auxiliary members distributing poppies in Sutton throughout the day. This year, a group of local youth volunteers will travel from business to business carrying poppies and collecting donations in support of veteran programs and local Auxiliary projects. The Auxiliary will also host a bake sale beginning at 8:30 a.m. on May 22 at Brown’s Grocery in Sutton. Organizers say they hope the combination of poppy donations, bake sale purchases, and community support will help raise significant funds for veterans and related programs.
For many Americans, the red poppy is one of the most recognizable symbols connected to Memorial Day. The tradition dates back more than a century to World War I, when bright red poppies were seen growing across the battlefields of Europe after devastating fighting had torn through the countryside. The flower later became closely tied to the famous poem In Flanders Fields, written by Lieutenant Colonel John Mc-Crae after the loss of a friend during the war.
